Jasmonic acid promotes division of fern protoplasts, elongation of rhizoids and early development of gametophytes

Abstract

The effects of jasmonic acid (JA) on spore germination, early gametophyte development and sporophytic protoplast culture of the fern Platycerium bifurcalum (Cav.) C. Chr. were investigated. JA and no influence on spore germination and primary rhizoid initiation, but significantly promoted early gametophyte development, which was evident from the longer primary rhizoids as well as the higher number of rhizoids and cells per gametophyte. Jasmonic acid (1 μM) also promoted the transition of gametophytes from a filamentous to a planar growth. Optimal primary rhizoid elongation and highest cell division activities in the gametophytes were observed at 0.01–1 μM JA, while the highest number of rhizoids on gametophytes was obtained at 0.1–1 μM JA. Jasmonic acid (0.01 μM) also stimulated initial protoplast divisions. Except for the experiment in which the effect of JA on germination was tested. JA concentrations exceeding 1 μM did not promote cell elongation or cell division but were instead inhibitory. On the basis of these findings, we propose that JA may be involved in early stages of P. bifurcatum development.