Research Article

Investigating the Growth-Promoting Potential of Bryophyte Extracts from Bryum argenteum, Fissidens dubius, and Plagiochasma appendiculatum on Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.): Implications for Sustainable Agricultural Practices

Syed Awais Hussain Shah^* and Rizwan Ali

Department of Botany, Mohi-ud-Din Islamic University Nerian Sharif, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan

*Corresponding author e-mail: uok6474@gmail.com

(Received: 25/02/2025; Revised: 25/04/2025; Accepted: 30/04/2025; Published: 20/06/2025)

ABSTRACT

This study investigates bryophyte extracts as sustainable alternatives to chemical fertilizers for wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), a vital crop facing rising demand and environmental challenges such as soil degradation and water pollution. Extracts from three bryophyte species—Bryum argenteum, Fissidens dubius, and Plagiochasma appendiculatum—collected in Kotli, Azad Kashmir, in 2024, were tested. Ethanol, methanol, and aqueous extracts were applied at concentrations of 20ml, 30ml, and 40ml to wheat seeds in petri plates, which were incubated for 14 days at 25±2°C with 10–12 hours of light daily. Although germination rates showed no significant differences (p>0.05), the 40 ml aqueous extracts significantly boosted shoot length (up to 40% increase) and root length (up to 36.58% increase) across species compared to controls. Methanolic extracts (40ml) excelled in biomass, enhancing fresh weight (up to 21.32% increase) and dry weight (up to 22.92% increase), while moisture content peaked with methanolic extracts (up to 28.72% increase). These findings highlight bryophyte extracts as eco-friendly growth enhancers, reducing reliance on synthetic fertilizers and their environmental harm. Further exploration of active compounds and field trials is recommended.

Keywords: Bryum argenteum, Fissidens dubius, Plagiochasma appendiculatum, wheat germination, plant growth regulators, bryophyte extracts, T. aestivum