Effect of buffered solutions and various anions on vegetative and sexual development in gametophytes of Pteridium aquilinum

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Experiments were performed to determine the effects of chloride, nitrate, and sulfate in buffered solutions on sperm motility and fertilization in gametophytes of Pteridium aquilinum. Buffered solutions with various anions simulated exposures to acidic precipitation up to 3.5 h. The presence of each anion decreased both sperm motility and fertilization. Addition of 43.3 μM sulfate (equivalent to the sulfate concentration in rain of northeastern United States) decreased sperm motility about 40% compared with plants exposed to buffers without sulfate. Additions of 86.6 μM and 173.2 μM sulfate gave sperm motility levels of approximately 45% and 36% of sperm unexposed to sulfate. Percentage reduction in sperm motility during sulfate exposure was independent of buffer pH. Additions of chloride and nitrate at pH 4.8 gave sperm motility values similar to buffers with sulfate. However, at pH 5.8, chloride ions were less harmful than nitrate or sulfate. Addition of anions also had a detrimental effect on fertilization or production of sporophyte plants. In all experiments, the presence of chloride and nitrate alone or in combination with sulfate gave reductions in fertilization similar to that of sulfate alone at equivalent concentrations. Additions of one or more anions produced additive effects at all pH levels to reduce both sperm motility and fertilization in gametophytes of Pteridium aquilinum.