Effects of copper accumulation on growth and development of Scopelophila cataractae grown in vitro

Scopelophila cataractae was cultured in vitro for 16 weeks to assess the contrasting effects of Cu on growth and reproduction, as well as gametophore stage. To induce buds and gametophores of S. cataractae, ten treatments (tr 1 to tr 10) of culture media were prepared using a combination of mineral salts, sugar, vitamin B complex, CuSO₄, and exogenous hormones. Highest numbers of gametophores and buds were formed in media containing 500 µM CuSO₄ in co-application with auxin and cytokinin, as shown in the modest Cu treatments (tr 6 and tr 7, 26 per cushion and 255 per 25 mm², respectively). A 5000 µM CuSO₄ concentration inhibited development of protonema, possibly due to Cu toxicity, resulting in chloronema forming contorted filaments or short cells containing lipid bodies, and brood body diaspores but no gametophore or bud formation. In this study, S. cataractae Cu accumulation in tissue was substantial (up to 2843.1 mg kg^-1; tr 6) with no or minimal adverse effects, reflecting its potential for phytoremediation of Cu in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. The highest atomic percentages of Cu and Zn were detected in the stem surfaces of gametophores treated with 500 µM CuSO₄ (11% atomic Cu and 7% atomic Zn), which served as a primary heavy metal storage site, ultimately protecting cells from metal toxicity. The success of this in vitro study on S. cataractae should also aid ex situ conservation efforts for a variety of rare moss taxa in the wild.