ИСТИНА

Podperaea krylovii is a rare moss with insufficient biological and ecological data, as well as a limited number of recorded occurrences, underscoring the importance of its conservation. It inhabits various environments but appears to be rather rare and localized in nature, emphasising the importance of ex situ conservation. This study aimed to investigate the optimal type of in vitro culture medium to obtain sufficient biomass for the successful transfer to ex vitro cultivation. Three different types of media (with explants positioned upright and prostrate) were tested for the growth of P. krylovii. KNOP medium with prostrate explants showed the highest index of multiplication (number of newly formed shoots) and was best suited for biomass production. BCD medium promoted the development of secondary protonema, while the MS/2 medium showed the weakest growth. After optimization and obtaining sufficient biomass, the plantlets were transferred under controlled xenic conditions into Magenta vessels filled with distilled water on white terrazzo marble gravel chippings. Acclimation lasted for four weeks. Due to its limited distribution and vulnerability to habitat changes, ex situ conservation and further studies are very important for the survival of this unique moss species.