The 2009 ASHS Annual Conference

Acclimatization and cultivation investigations with Cratoneuron decipiens of temperate moss has been performed under vinyl house conditions. For both studies hook-moss was cultivated with different growing media, propagation systems, inoculum densities, light shade, and watering methods. Plant materials for acclimatization were grown through suspension culture with Knopp(1865) macro salts and Nitsch and Nitsch (1956) trace elements. Vegetative propagation is the basis for the moss production. Three types of propagation systems (direct sowing, suspension, and chopping of gametophytes) were examined in this experiment. Longest and highest numbers of gametophytes were produced by direct sowing for both culture conditions. Maximum number of gametophte/flax was produced by 1g inoculum density but percent fresh and dry weight per 10 gametophytes were increased in 0.5 g inoculum density for all conditions. According to our findings  peat and perlite mixture in 5:1(vol:vol) was beneficial to cultivation, and bark and perlite mixture in 3:1 ratio was suitable for acclimatization. Light shade of 50% showed the highest positive influences on gametophytee number, and on fresh and dry weight for moss production, but 70% shade resulted in longest and highest number of gametophytes during acclimatization. Surface watering was better than sub-surface watering for both culture conditions. In order to get adequate acclimatization and cultivation conditions, the established methods were modified.