Title : Studies on gametophyte development and gametangial ontogemy of Drynaria mollis and pteris aspericaulis through in vitro spore culture
Abstract:
This study evaluated the spore germination, gametophyte growth and differentiation and sex ontogeny of a terrestrial fern Pteris aspericaulis and an epiphytic fern Drynaria mollis. Both species are economically and medicinally important and occur in different ecological niche. Spores were cultured in P&T medium with P. aspericaulis having 56.73% and D. Mollis having 66% germination. Prothalli development in D. Mollis was found to be is Drynaria type and in P. aspericaulis it was Aspidium type. In both P. apericaulis and D. mollis initiation of male gametangia (antheridia) was noticed after 90 days of spore sowing on the distal end of the gametophyte and archegonia developed after 100 days of sowing below the apical notch. Antheridia are circular in shape with nearly 32 male gametes “antherozoids” and archegonia are cylindrical in shape with neck and venter cells containing “eggs”. Bisexual stage is seen after 100 days of sowing in both the species. This study contributes to the understanding of reproductive potential of the two fern species allowing us to better maintain, restore, cultivate and conserve them.
