INDUCTION OF FERN SPORE GERMINATION

Interaction between Antheridogens and Fatty Acids in Fern Spore Germination.

Certain fatty acids in the C(5) to C(18) range, at concentrations as low as 10(-5) M, were found to inhibit the germinations of spores of the sensitive fern, Onoclea sensibilis L. The addition of gametophytic culture flltrates of the bracken fern, Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn, containing antheridogen A, was found to overcome this inhibition and allow the spores to germinate and the gametophyte...

Biochemistry of fern spore germination: protease activity in ostrich fern spores.

Protease activities were detected in quiescent and germinating spores of the ostrich fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris [L.] Todaro). Peak endopeptidase, aminopeptidase, and carboxypeptidase activities were detected 12 to 24 hours after spores began imbibing under light. There was a correlation between activities of proteases, the onset of a decline in levels of soluble protein, and an increase in...

Biochemistry of Fern Spore Germination: GLYOXYLATE AND GLYCOLATE CYCLE ACTIVITY IN ONOCLEA SENSIBILIS L.

In chlorophyll-containing spores of Onoclea sensibilis, depletion of lipid reserves during germination is correlated with increases in the activity of the glyoxylate cycle enzymes isocitrate lyase and malate synthase. In Onoclea, the heterotrophic activity associated with lipid catabolism occurs at the same time that autotrophic activity is taking place. Increases in chlorophyll content and in ...

Ecophysiology of Development: Spore Germination

Ecophysiology of Development: Spore Germination