Bowen (1933) reminds us that bryophytes are
necessarily limited in nutrient supply by their
poikilohydric (state of hydration controlled by
environment) method of water regulation. Their receipt of
water predominantly from rainfall and, for most
bryophytes, almost nothing from ground water, relegates
them to receive nutrients that are dissolved in rainwater or
that accumulate as dust. After the first few minutes of
rainfall, those nutrient concentrations are extremely small
compared to soil nutrients and are biased in their relative
concentrations in very different ways. Therefore, it is not
surprising that culture conditions designed for
tracheophytes are often unsuitable for bryophytes. But is
this what the bryophytes "prefer"? Or are these conditions
they tolerate and that provide them relatively less
competition from tracheophytes? And do they gain any
nutrients from the soil?