refer to all land plants that do not have true vascular tissue and are therefore called "non-vascular plants" • They have no wood to lend them structural support, nor do they have large leaves or showy cones or flowers • The study of bryophytes is called bryology. Hedwig is called ‘Father of Bryology’. • The fossil record indicates that bryophytes evolved on earth about 395 – 430 million years ago (i.e. during Silurian period of Paleozoic era). Bryophytes • The division Bryophyta (Gr. bryon=moss) includes over 25000 species of non- vascular embryophytes such as mosses, liverworts and hornworts. • Bryophytes are small plants (2cm to 60cm) that grow in moist shady places. They don’t attain great heights because of absence of roots, vascular tissues, mechanical tissues and cuticle. They are terrestrial but require external water to complete their life cycle. • Hence, they are called “Amphibians of plant kingdom”. Salient features of Bryophytes • Bryophytes grow in damp and shady places. • They follow heterologous haplodiplontic type of life cycle. • The dominant plant body is gametophyte on which sporophyte is semiparasitic for its nutrition. • The thalloid gametophyte differentiated in to rhizoids, axis (stem) and leaves. • Vascular tissues (xylem and phloem) absent. Salient features of Bryophytes • The gametophyte bears multi-cellular and jacketed sex organs (antheridia and archegonia). • Sexual reproduction is oogamous type. • Multi-cellular embryo develops inside archegonium. • Sporophyte differentiated into foot, seta and capsule. • Capsule produces haploid meiospores of similar types (homosporous). • Spore germinates into juvenile gametophyte called protonema. Two Views about Origin of Bryophytes • A. Pteridophytic origin i.e., the bryophytes are the descendants of pteri- dophytes • B. Algal origin i.e., the bryophytes have arisen from algae. Pteridophytic Origin • The basis of this theory lies on the similarity between the earliest vascular plants, Rhyniopsida of the Upper Silurian to Lower Devonian age, and the sporophytes of certain mosses (Andreaea, Funaria, Sphagnum, etc.) and members of hornworts (Anthoceros, Dendroceros, etc.). Similarities • The members of Rhyniopsida are rootless (bearing rhizoids), leafless and dichotomously branched shoots bear terminal sporangia. • (b) The sporangia of Horneophyton and Sporogonites (plant showing bryophytean affinity) are provided with columella. • (c) The capsules of some members of bryophytes (Funaria, Sphagnum and Anthoceros) comprised of photosynthetic tissue and are provided with stomata. These are the common features of pteridophytes. • (d)sex organs are jacketed Algal Origin The characteristics common for both the groups are • Presence of thalloid gametophyte • (b) Amphibian nature, • (c) Similar photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a, b and carotenoids α, β), • (d) Cell wall made up of cellulose, • (e) Presence of filamentous protonema, • (f) Starch as reserve food, • (g) Presence of flagellated sperms, and • (h) Water essential for fertilization. Reproduction • Vegetative Reproduction • Sexual Reproduction Vegetative Reproduction • A piece breaks off from gametophyte and then lands in a suitable habitat will grow into a new gametophyte . • The breakage may be accidental, such as animal trampling or erosion leading to fragmentation of an existing bryophyte colony. Sexual Reproduction
Sexual reproduction involves an alternation of generations between the
haploid gamete -producing stage (gametophyte) and the diploid organism (sporophyte). In the bryophytes, it is the haploid gametophyte that produces the leaves and thali and therefore predominates. The process requires the production of male gametes (sperm), female gametes (eggs) and some means of getting the sperm to the eggs. The gametes are produced on the gametophytes. The sperm are produced within tiny, typically stalked, club-shaped structures called antheridia. Each antheridium produces numerous sperm. Sexual Reproduction The eggs are produced in tiny, typically somewhat flask-like structures called archegonia. Each archegonium holds one egg (in a swollen section called the venter). The sperm enter through the channel in the narrower, tubular section (or neck). A fertilized egg in an archegonium develops into the sporophyte. The sporophyte consists of a spore-containing capsule which, depending on the species, may be stalked or stalkless. Each spore contains a mix of genes from the two parents and on successful germination will give rise to a new gametophyte. 3 types of Bryophytes • Mosses • Liverworts • Hornworts Mosses • Small, soft plants that are usually 1-10 cm tall. • Typically grow close together in moist or shady areas. • Some mosses are found on rocks and in arid locations. • Flowerless and seedless • With the appearance of having distinct stems and many tiny leaves, moss often looks very soft and fluffy. The sporophytes develop on the end of a long stem (called a seta) topped with a spore-bearing capsule. Mosses have leaves that are spirally arranged along the stem and a ‘vein’ that runs along the middle of each leaf. Liverworts • Typically small; ranging from 2-20 mm wide with individual plants less than 10 cm long Certain species may cover large patches of ground, rocks, trees, or any other reasonably firm substance on which they occur • Flowerless, spore-producing plant – with the spores producing in small capsules • liverworts grow much closer to the ground, hugging the surface with large, flat rubbery leaves. Their sporophyte form appears as either a rubbery, green ‘flower’ or like a globe on a stem, depending on the growth pattern. Hornworts • a flowerless, spore-producing plant - with the spores typically produced in a tapering, horn-like or needle- like capsule which develops from a flattish, green sheet • Hornworts look fairly similar to liverworts in the gametophyte stage, and they are generally blue-green in color. However, the sporophyte generation gives them their name. A distinctive long, thin, needle-like sporangium looks like a horn. These bryophytes differ from all other plants as each cell only contains a single large chloroplast. Similar to moss, hornworts also have stomata on the sporophyte generation. Importance of Bryophytes Bryophytes as Fuel Liverworts and mosses have long been tried and used as a fuel in developed countries like Finland, Sweden, Ireland, West Ger-many, Poland and Soviet Union. Peat is suitable for production of low and intermediate BTU gas as well as hydrogen, ethylene, natural gas, and methanol Peat mosses are best suited for the production of methane, and peat is likely to become an important source of fuel for production of heat,methane, or electricity in the future. Horticultural Uses There is a long tradition of use of bryophytes in horticulture as soil additives, because of their high water holding capacity and to air. Peat is an important soil conditioner and is commonly used for agricultural and horticultural purposes around the world. Bryophytes as ornamental plant • Bryophytes have also been used for green house crops, potted ornamental plants and seedlings, and in garden soil. As preservative agent • Bryophytes have excellent power to absorb moisture and can act as a good preservative agent . • They not only help to prevent food but also help to preserve death bodies. Fibre industries • Mosses are mixed with wool to make cheap clothes. •They are used in decoration of net bags and other objects. •Women also wear their steam like structure in their hair and as decorations in bracelets •Used in hiking boats to absorb odour and moisture. •Used in lining of diapers to improve absorbing power. Food AND SHELTER • Many animals make use of bryophytes. Numerous invertebrates eat bryophytes, lay their eggs on them or shelter in them. They form a vital part of the construction material of the nest of some birds SOIL CONSERVATION • Bryophytes form a mat and prevent soil erosion. • The intertwined moss stems and rhizoids bind soil particles firmly. • Hold large amount of water and reduce run off. Indicators of soil PH • Liverworts and mosses are good indicators of soil ph. • Some bryophytes can grow in narrow and specific range of pH so therefore their presence can be used as an indicator of soil ph. • For example Campylopus paradxus indicates acidic soil. Indicator of acid rain Mosses are good indicators of acid rain because they lack a protective epidermis and cuticle hence are most susceptible than vascular plants.