Abstract
In order to develop a method for detecting air pollution by using bryometer, the effects of SO2 and NO2 alone and in combinations on the germination and protonemal growth of the moss spores were investigated. The spores of four moss species of Pylaisia brotheri, Entodon challengeri, Fabronia matsumurae and Venturiella sinensis on agar culture medium were continuously exposed to SO2 (0.05-0.20 ppm), NO2 (0.025-0.20 ppm) and their mixtures for 7-40 days.
The order of sensitivity of their spores for SO2, NO2 and their mixtures was P. brotheri >E. challengeri>F. matsumurae>V. sinensis, which was in agreement with that of their gametophores usually observed in the field.
The rates of spore germination and protonemal growth of F. matsumurae obtained by using a bryometer were compared with those expected from the results of gas exposure experiments. The observed rate, which was approximated with the expected rate in winter, differed from the expected one clearly in autumn. It was suggested that the germination and protonemal growth of the spores might be affected with not only SO2 and NO2 but with other pollutants such as photochemical oxidants.
