BOT 201

REPRODUCTION IN PTERIDOPHYTES
There are three types of reproduction in pteridophytes used for their
propagation and continual existence
1. Vegetative reproduction: This can be by budding and
fragmentation

In some ferns the rachis produces a vegetative bud or gemmae, these

ferns are called proliferous. When this bud falls on the ground a new
plant develops, as in Tectaria gemmifera. Sometimes however the
new plant will already start to grow while still being attached to the
rachis. Through the weight of this small plant, the frond will bend
towards the ground. When it makes contact with the soil, the small
new fern can start to root. Pneumatopteris unita, Asplenium
sandersonii are good examples of this.

2. Asexual reproduction: spores formation germination is regarded

as termination of asexual reproduction/ phae in pteridophytes.
Sometimes though, the gametophyte directly give rise to sporophyte
without syngamy. The phenomenon is known as apogamy.
Apogamy is the development of an unusual haploid sporophyte from
the gametophyte without the fusion of gametes. The cause of
apogamy include ageing of the prothallus, failure of sex organ
formation and normal fertilization, prothallus growing under bright
light and high temperature etc. Natural apogamy is common in ferns
like Dryopteris, Adiantum, Osmunda, Pteris etc
Also sometimes the sporophyte may give rise to the
gametophyte without formation of spores, the phenomenon is known
as apospory
Apospory is the development of unusual diploid gametophyte from
the vegetative parts of sporophyte and not from the spores. The cause
of apospory involves deficiency of mineral nutrition, development of
leaves under dim (very low) light etc., e.g. Pteris, Nephrolepis,
Drynaria etc.
3. Sexual reproduction: Pteridophytes reproduction sexually, occurs
through these main events sporogenesis gametogenesis and syngamy
(fertilization) in this order given.
Sporogenesis- This is the production of spores within the
reproductive tissue sporangium. Spores in different species of
pteridophytes are either of same type –homospores or of different
types - heterospores.
Homospory is expressed in species of genera such as Dryopteris,
Psilotum, Tmesiptris, Lycopodium, Equisetum, Phylloglossum etc
Heterosory is expressed in species of genera - Selaginella, Salvinia,
Azolla, Marselia

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN HOMOSPORY AND HETEROSPORY

Homospory Heterospory

1. Production of only one kind of 1. Production of two types of spores.

spores.

2. The sex is differentiated only at the 2. The sex differentiation occurs even
gametophytic stage. at the sporophytic phases.

3. The gametophyte of homosporous 3. The gametophyte of the

fern depends upon the soil and heterosporous fern is attached to
environmental condition for nutrition. the sporophyte.

4. The gametophyte is dependent on 4. The gametophyte is independent on

the external climatic condition. the external climatic condition.

5. The megaspores are small and large 5. The megaspore in heterosporous

in number. ferns is large in size and possess only
 Homospory Heterospory

one large megaspore.

6. It does not result in the seed habit. 6. The heterospory results in the
formation of seed habit.

7. The embryo gets nutrition from the 7. The new embryo gets sufficient
independent green prothallus. nutrients from the sporophyte.

Gametogenesis - The spore bearing leaves or sporophyte (sporophyll)

carries the sporangia that will burst open once the spores are matured.
These mature spores do not directly grow into a new fern. The spore
germinates into an inconspicuous, free-living, photosynthetic thalIoid
gametophyte called prothallus. The gametophytes develop sex organs
like antheridia (male sex organs) and archegonia (female sex organs).
In Dryopteris it is a hardly noticeable tiny heart shaped plant of about
1/2 inch wide. This gametophyte carries both the male (antheridia)
and female (archegonia) organs (Homothallic). Sperms (antherozoids)
are produced in the antheridium, an egg develops in the archegonium.
The sperm has long flagella which makes it possible for it to move
(swim) to the egg. This however can only happen if a film of water is
present on the surface of the gametophyte; a good moist environment
is thus essential. The antherozoids are attracted towards the neck
of archegonia by chemical substances like malic acid which the
archegonia contain.
Syngamy (fertilization) - When the sperm reaches the
egg, fertilization takes place; a one celled zygote is formed. The
zygote develops into an embryo within the archegonial venter and
grows into a new young fern (sporophyte) which later matures into an
adult plant when the environment is favourable.