MEIOSIS IN VITRO: SPOROGENESIS IN CULTURED FERN PLANTS

Sporangia containing mature, functional spores can be induced to form on pinnae of Todea barbara sporophytes maintained in nutrient culture. Meiosis is initiated in the sporogenous cells and proceeds to completion in vitro with the formation of viable spores. Sporangial development, meiosis and the production of spores occur in plants which exhibit signs of senescence. Fertile leaves are characterized by a reduction in chlorophyll concentration and total cellular nitrogen when compared to sterile leaves. The data suggest that the process of sporogenesis may be correlated with a reduction in metabolic activity of the leaf.