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.
Audience Take Away Notes:
- Fern gametophyte is haploid, simple structure and independent of sporophyte plant and has great potential to yield important and significant insights in understanding development of gametophyte, sex determination, gamete production and fertilization. The knowledge of germination characteristics, stages of gametophyte development are important to understand the entire life cycle of different species. Moreover, these findings provide information to support the management, cultivation and conservation of the species. Ferns gametophyte is an ideal model system for the study of morphogenesis in response to external factors.
- Not only does the gametophyte allow for sexual reproduction, but it also influences recruitment, species habitat selection, migration, and adaptation. The role of morphological and physiological diversity among gametophytes in habitat selection, time frame and method of development and maturation, breeding system and habitats contributing new recruits to sporophytic population, and other critical topics in gametophyte biology have received little attention.
- The gametophyte of the fern is an excellent model system for studying morphogenesis in response to environmental factors. This study could provide a protocol for mass production and restoration and establishment of the population to new site for ex-situ and in-situ conservation.
