Germination of spores of Amazonian ferns Polypodium aureum in different culture media

Abstract

The greatest diversity of ferns occurs in the tropics, where approximately three in four of the species are found. In the Brazilian flora, the ferns have megadiversity, being an important plant group. The objective was to evaluate the spores germination of ferns Polypodium aureum in different types of culture medium. The sporangia were removed from fertile fronds and sterilized with sodium hypochlorite 0.57% during 30 minutes. After sterilization, the sporangia were seeded in culture media agar, MS, SH, White and B5. The experimental design was completely randomized being composed of 5 treatments (agar media, B5, SH, White and MS) and 10 replications. The ratings occurred every 3 days over a period of 45 days, counting the number of spores germinated. After this period, the germination percentage, germination time on medium, germination speed index and timing of germination were calculated. The germination percentage and the index of synchronization have not changed in function of different culture media. The medium White presented the highest average for the germination speed index whereas the agar media, MS, SH and B5 had the same germination speeds. The percentage of mortality was higher in MS medium, the White medium presented the lowest percentage of mortality, and the media composed by agar, SH and B5 showed intermediate values. The lowest average germination time occurred at the media SH and B5, since the environment composed by agar showed higher average germination time. The media MS and White showed similar results to the agar, SH and B5. Based on the obtained results, it can be concluded that the White medium is the most effective on the germination of spores of Polypodium aureum.