Introduction:
Aspicilia composita (Lynge) J. W. Thomson is a type of lichen found in Arctic and Alpine regions of North America, Europe, and Asia. It belongs to the family of Megasporaceae and is commonly known as "Composite Rim Lichen."Appearance:
The lichen has a crustose thallus that forms circular to irregular patches with a diameter of up to 3 cm. The thallus is grayish-green to brownish-grey in color, with a smooth or slightly wrinkled surface. It develops numerous dark brown to black apothecia with thin rims that surround the thallus. The rims are often covered in a powdery white substance.Uses:
Aspicilia composita is used in traditional medicine and has shown to have antibacterial and antioxidant properties. The lichen is also a valuable food source for reindeer and caribou during the winter months when other food sources are scarce. It is also used as a bio-indicator of air pollution because of its sensitivity to environmental changes.Conclusion:
Aspicilia composita is a unique and valuable lichen found in Arctic and Alpine regions. Its distinctive appearance and useful properties make it an important organism in the ecosystem.Growth Conditions of Aspicilia composita (Lynge) J. W. Thomson
Aspicilia composita (Lynge) J. W. Thomson is commonly found growing on rocky outcrops and soils in alpine and arctic environments. To ensure successful growth, certain environmental conditions must be met.
Light Requirements
Aspicilia composita (Lynge) J. W. Thomson thrives in areas with high light intensity. It prefers bright sunlight and may struggle to grow in shaded areas. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure that the plant receives sufficient sunlight to ensure proper growth.
Temperature Requirements
Aspicilia composita (Lynge) J. W. Thomson is capable of surviving harsh conditions, including sub-zero temperatures. However, it typically grows best in temperatures ranging from 0°C to 15°C. During the winter months, it may go into a dormant state and regrow during the spring. Hot temperatures can damage the plant and significantly slow down growth.
Soil Requirements
The plant prefers well-drained soils that are mostly composed of sand, gravel, and rocks. The soil's pH level should range from slightly acidic to neutral (5.5 to 7.5) for optimal growth. Moreover, Aspicilia composita (Lynge) J. W. Thomson can grow in nutrient-poor soils due to its symbiotic relationship with certain fungi species.
Providing ideal conditions for the growth of Aspicilia composita (Lynge) J. W. Thomson is crucial for its survival. Therefore, it is necessary to consider the intensity of light, temperature, and soil composition when cultivating this plant. Abiding by the aforementioned requirements will help achieve ideal growth conditions to ensure successful cultivation.
Cultivation methods
Aspicilia composita (Lynge) J. W. Thomson is a lichen that grows in nutrient-poor and rocky habitats. Cultivation in a controlled environment can prove to be challenging, as the lichen prefers to grow naturally in its native environment. However, it is still possible to cultivate Aspicilia composita in suitable conditions.
The lichen can be propagated by attaching a fragment of it to a suitable substrate such as rocks, bark, or wood. The substrate should be porous and placed in an area with filtered or indirect light that mimics the natural habitat of the lichen.
Watering needs
Aspicilia composita is highly adapted to drought conditions and has low water requirements. Overwatering can result in the growth of algae or other non-lichen organisms that can be harmful to the lichen. To mimic natural rainfall, sporadic misting with clean, non-chlorinated water is recommended.
Fertilization
Aspicilia composita does not require fertilization since it obtains its nutrients from the surrounding air. The lichen can photosynthesize, fix nitrogen, and absorb mineral nutrients present in the atmosphere, making it self-sufficient.
Pruning
Aspicilia composita does not require pruning as it grows slowly and maintains a relatively low profile. However, if the lichen outgrows its substrate, it can be pruned by carefully removing the excess growth with sterilized pruning tools.
Propagation of Aspicilia composita
Aspicilia composita (Lynge) J. W. Thomson is commonly known as composite rock shield. It is a type of crustose lichen that is found in North America and Greenland. Propagation of this plant can be done through several methods.
Vegetative Propagation
Vegetative propagation is the most common method of propagating Aspicilia composita. This method is done by fragmenting the thallus or the body of the lichen. The fragments are then transplanted into a suitable substrate or substrate that contains the right type of algae and fungi. The fragments will attach themselves to the new substrate and grow. It is important to keep the substrate moist during the initial days to avoid dessication of the fragments.
Soredia Propagation
Aspicilia composita produces soredia, which are small clusters of algal cells and fungal hyphae surrounded by a protective layer. Soredia can be propagated in the lab by isolating and cultivating them on an agar medium. This method of propagation is more laborious than vegetative propagation because soredia requires special attention in the lab. However, it is also more efficient because soredia contain both fungal and algal components of the original plant, making it possible to reproduce the same lichen without any genetic variation.
Mycobiont Propagation
This propagation method involves isolating and cultivating the fungal part of the lichen. Fungal propagation is more tricky than algal culture. The cultured filamentous fungi must be viable and maintain their symbiotic relationship with the algal partner. If successful, this method can produce a well-defined fungal culture line within the lichen
Disease Management for Aspicilia composita
Aspicilia composita may be affected by various types of fungal infections such as lichenicolous fungi, lichen parasites, and lichen decomposers. These fungi are difficult to control, but some management strategies can be applied to reduce the spread of the disease or prevent it from happening altogether.
- Prune infected tissue - Remove any infected plant parts as soon as you see them. This step reduces the risk of the infection from spreading to other areas of the plant.
- Cultural controls - Encouraging optimal plant growth conditions and avoiding extreme conditions can help keep the plant healthy and discourage fungal infections.
- Fungicides - some fungicides such as copper-based ones can be used to control fungal infections in plants.
Pest Management for Aspicilia composita
Aspicilia composita may also be affected by insects such as the lichen moth and lichen weevil. Below are some ways to manage pests that may affect it.
- Introduce beneficial insects - Natural predators like lacewings and ladybugs can help keep pest populations in check.
- Handpick pests - This may not be very practical for a large-scale infestation. However, this technique is effective for small pests' populations.
- Biopesticides - These are microbial-based products that can manage pests by infecting them with fungi or bacteria. Biopesticides are safe for humans, and there are varieties specific to each type of insect pest.
