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EFFECT OF BUFFERED SOLUTIONS AND SULFATE ON VEGETATIVE AND SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT IN GAMETOPHYTES OF PTERIDIUM AQUILINUM
Author(s) -
Evans Lance S.,
Bozzone Donna M.
Publication year - 1977
Publication title -
american journal of botany
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.218
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1537-2197
pISSN - 0002-9122
DOI - 10.1002/j.1537-2197.1977.tb11933.x
Subject(s) - pteridium aquilinum , gametophyte , sporophyte , human fertilization , biology , sulfate , botany , sperm , chemistry , agronomy , pollen , fern , organic chemistry
Experiments were performed to determine effects of buffered solutions (0.01 m ) on vegetative development and fertilization of gametophytes of Pteridium aquilinum. Buffered solutions were used to simulate exposures to acidic precipitation up to 3.5 h. Flagellar movement of sperm was reduced at buffer pH levels below 5.8. Specifically, longevity of motility was reduced so that no movements were observed 8–10 and 5–7 min after exposure to pH 5.6 and 5.2, respectively. Addition of sulfate (86 μ m ) depressed the percent motile sperm by 50%, 2–4 min after exposure at all pH values tested. Longevity of flagellar movement was most affected by pH and additions of sulfate. The effect on fertilization was assayed directly by determinations of sporophyte production. Although gametophyte survival and development were not affected by solutions of pH 5.8 to 2.2, fertilization was reduced after exposure to buffers below pH 4.2. Sporophyte production was not altered at pH 5.2 but was reduced 50% at pH levels of 4.2 and 3.2 compared with exposures to pH 5.8. Addition of sulfate (86 μ m ) decreased fertilization at least 50% at all pH levels observed. The results suggest that only limited fertilization, and therefore limited genetic recombinations could occur in Pteridium aquilinum under conditions of acidic precipitation (pH and sulfate levels) that prevail in the northeastern United States.