Abstract— Spore germination in Anemia phyllitidis can be induced by red light (R) via the phytochrome system and by gibberellic acid (GA3) in the dark. An enhancing effect of NO3‐ions on the Pfr‐mediated germination could be demonstrated. This NO3‐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 NO3, other electron accepting substances also increased germination significantly. In contrast to Pfr‐mediated germination, no enhancing effect by NO3 could be obtained for the GA3‐induced germination response. The application of an inhibitor of gibberellic acid synthesis, AMO1618, as well as the analysis of combined R and GA3 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 NO3‐effect is specific for the Pfr‐mediated signal‐transduction chain.