A Plant Developmental System to Measure The Impact of Pollutants in Rain Water

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Abstract
Fertilization and spermatozoid motility in gametophytes of bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum) are very sensitive to low pH and additions of sulfate, nitrate, and chloride. Spermatozoid motility at pH levels 6.0, 5.5, and 5.1 was about 70%, 50%, and 30%, respectively, of values obtained at pH 6.1, 2 to 4 minutes after exposure. Motility at sulfate concentrations of 43.3, 86.6, and 173.2 μM was about 60%, 45%, and 35%, respectively, of values obtained at pH 6.1. Fertilization decreased as the pH decreased below pH 6.1. Fertilization after 3.5 hr exposure to pH 5.5, 5.1, and 4.5 was about 90%, 75%, and 60%, respectively, of values obtained at pH 6.1. Fertilization values at sulfate concentrations of 43.3, 86.6, and 173.2 μM were about 85%, 75%, and 60%, respectively, of values obtained at pH 6.1. Based upon these results, fertilization in bracken fern may be a good indicator of pollutants in rainwater.