The liverworts, hornworts and mosses are small, low-growing plants that constitute the phylum Bryophyta. Liverworts grow horizontally and are either thalloid or ‘leafy’, while mosses have an upright stalk with spirally arranged leaf-like structures. Most of us are well familiarized with the moss sticks used commonly in house-gardens; however their diverse uses and applications are still unknown. Today bryophytes hold their place in pharmaceutical industry, as fuel, in horticulture, and are ecologically important too. Their potential as biomonitors to evaluate the quality of atmosphere is well known. Both liverworts and mosses are good indicators of environmental conditions. Certain mosses thrives well in a specific range of pH, thus, their presence can be used as an indicator of soil pH. Bryophytes modify their micro-climate; they assist in moisture retention and also check soil erosion. Further they also provide suitable temperature, organic matter and minerals after their death, therefore serve as an excellent seeding beds for a variety of coniferous tree species. Some mosses (Sphagnum) have been shown to have symbiotic relationship with cyanobacteria, thus play critical role in biological nitrogen fixation in arctic and sub-arctic ecosystems. Besides, mosses like Merceya, Mielichhoferia elongata grow in copper rich soils and therefore can be used as indicator plants. Mosses are also good indictors of
acid rain and are particularly responsive to air pollution. Tolerant species that accumulate pollutants are used in various European countries to monitor atmospheric pollution caused by emanation from various sources. Traditionally bryophytes are used as soil additives and as ornamental material. Moss
gardens in Japan are quiet trendy. Use of Sphagnum by gardeners in air layering is a well known method for propagating plants. It is also mixed with soil as mulch- hence maintains moisture, prevent growth of weeds and allow air permeability. Sphagnum is also used in water treatment and effluent of industries marked by toxic discharge especially containing
heavy metals (Ag, Cu, Cd, Hg, Pb, and Fe) and organic substances like oils, detergents, dyes and microorganisms. Conventional absorbents work slowly when applied to spill and may subsequently release the oil, however, bryophytes derived products can absorb up to 12 times their weight and require less storage space than conventionally used materials. Sphagnum is also an outstanding material for shipment of plants and fresh vegetables and flowers, for hydroponics’ gardening and for storage of roots and bulbs. Developed countries like Finland, Sweden, Ireland, and West Germany have tried the use of mosses and liverworts as fuel. It is likely that in future peat may become an important source of fuel for heat production, methane and electricity. It is principally suitable due to its low sulphur content. Bryophytes have also been used in the construction of houses and their furnishings. In Himalayas mosses are used as insect repellents for storing food. In India Sphagnum, Hypnum cupressiforme, Neckera crenulata are used for packing of apples and plums in the western Himalaya. Bryophytes contain biologically active compounds thus they are not susceptible to fungal diseases and exhibit microbial activity. The most novel use of mosses is the use of transgenic Physcomitrella for producing ‘blood-clotting factor IX’ for the treatment of Hemophilia B. Anti-leukemic activity has also been demonstrated in several compounds from leafy liverworts. During First World War, Germans used Sphagnum for dressing the wounds of the soldiers. Sphagnum pads are much finer to cotton for dressing wounds as they absorb liquids 3-4 times as much as cotton, thus recurrent change of dressing is not requisite. Moreover use of Sphagnum pad is economical, cooler, softer and less annoying to the skin than cotton.
More abstracts about the USES OF BRYOPHYTES.