The toxic metal stress in two mosses of different growth forms under axenic and controlled conditions

• Published in: Botanica Serbica Vol. 45; no. 1; pp. 31 - 47
• Main Authors: Stankovic, Jelena, Jankovic, Sladjana, Lang, Ingeborg, Vujicic, Milorad, Sabovljevic, Marko, Sabovljevic, Aneta
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: University of Belgrade 01-01-2021
• Subjects: atrichum undulatum; cadmium; copper; hypnum cupressiforme; in vitro; zinc
• ISSN: 1821-2158; 1821-2638
• DOI: 10.2298/BOTSERB2101031S

Bryophytes are widely used in monitoring environmental changes and various
types of pollution. Features such as longevity and direct intake by the
whole body make them very good models for bioindication. However, there is a
considerable lack of knowledge on the coping, resistance and tolerance
mechanisms to toxic elements within representatives of this second largest
group of terrestrial plants. We tested two different growth form mosses,
acrocarpous Atrichum undulatum and pleurocarpous Hypnum cupressiforme in
axenic in vitro fully controlled laboratory conditions, thus eliminating
additional side, antagonistic or synergistic effects. These mosses were
exposed to three concentrations (including control) of zinc-, copper- or
cadmium-acetate for a short and long period, and their growth, development
and biochemical parameters were recorded. The results showed that reactions
to stress are both species and metal-specific. Also, the short and long-term
exposure times and the level of toxic elements played a role in species
response and showed the differences between the two moss growth forms and
species. Among the investigated parameters considered in the two mosses
tested, the multiplication index proved to be the most useful and sensitive
in detecting the metal pollution effects. On the other hand, the
concentration of chl a seemed to vary over a rather small range between the
stressed moss species. Overall, copper was shown to be quite toxic compared
to the other two metals at lower applied concentration. However, the studied
mosses demonstrated decreased viability according to all of the parameters
tested in the media enriched with high concentrations of cadmium when
compared with copper and zinc. These results suggest that species studies
related to different metals/pollutants in small scale controlled conditions
are urgently needed before application in broad areas monitored by mosses.