Open AccessA soil bacterium alters sex determination and rhizoid development in gametophytes of the fern Ceratopteris richardii
Author(s) -
Michael T. Ganger,
Rachel Hiles,
Haley Hallowell,
Lauren Cooper,
Nicole McAllister,
Doug Youngdahl,
Jeremy Alfieri,
Sarah J. Ewing
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
aob plants
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.998
H-Index - 39
ISSN - 2041-2851
DOI - 10.1093/aobpla/plz012
Subject(s) - gametophyte , rhizoid , antheridium , biology , fern , sporophyte , botany , gemma , hermaphrodite , pollen
The multicellular haploid generation of plants (gametophyte) is responsible for sperm and egg production. In the fern Ceratopteris richardii , gametophytes are free-living and may develop into either males or hermaphrodites. This developmental decision is not genetically programmed, but instead is environmentally determined. A pheromone released by hermaphrodites called antheridiogen induces individuals to develop as males. The presence of the bacterium Pseudomonas nitroreducens blocks male induction and results in more individuals developing as hermaphrodites. The bacterium also induces longer but fewer rhizoids to develop in both males and hermaphrodites.