NITRATE EFFECT ON Pfr‐MEDIATED AND GA 3 ‐INDUCED GERMINATION IN SPORES OF Anemia phyllitidis (L.) Sw *

— Spore germination in Anemia phyllitidis can be induced by red light (R) via the phytochrome system and by gibberellic acid (GA 3 ) in the dark. An enhancing effect of NO 3 ‐ions on the Pfr‐mediated germination could be demonstrated. This NO 3 ‐effect was found to be pronounced during the preinduction phase and could be described by biphasic kinetics depending on the formation of Pfr by the R‐irradiation. Besides NO 3 , other electron accepting substances also increased germination significantly. In contrast to Pfr‐mediated germination, no enhancing effect by NO 3 could be obtained for the GA 3 ‐induced germination response. The application of an inhibitor of gibberellic acid synthesis, AMO1618, as well as the analysis of combined R and GA 3 treatment, support the hypothesis that for germination of Anemia phyllitidis spores no synergism between the factors exists. Thus, it is proposed that the gibberellic acid receptor starts a signal‐transduction pathway resulting in germination which is in part independent of the Pfr‐mediated signal‐transduction chain. The NO 3 ‐effect is specific for the Pfr‐mediated signal‐transduction chain.