Nephrolepis Cordifolia Research Articles

Chemical composition and biological evaluation of the volatile constituents from the aerial parts of Nephrolepis exaltata (L.) and Nephrolepis cordifolia (L.) C. Presl grown in Egypt

The essential oil from the aerial parts of Nephrolepis exaltata and Nephrolepis cordifolia obtained by hydro-distillation were analyzed by gas chromatography/ mass spectrometry. The essential oils exhibited potential antibacterial and antifungal activities against a majority of the selected microorganisms. NEA oil showed promising cytotoxicity in breast, colon and lung carcinoma cells. The results presented indicate that NEA oil could be useful alternative for the treatment of dermatophytosis.Comparative investigation of hydro-distilled volatile constituents from aerial parts (A) of Nephrolepis exaltata (NE) and Nephrolepis cordifolia (NC) (Family Nephrolepidaceae) was carried out. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry revealed that oils differ in composition and percentages of components. Oxygenated compounds were dominant in NEA and NCA. 2,4-Hexadien-1-ol (16.1%), nonanal (14.4%), β-Ionone (6.7%) and thymol (2.7%) were predominant in NEA. β-Ionone (8.0%), eugenol (7.2%) and anethol (4.6%) were the main constituents in NCA. Volatile samples were screened for their antibacterial and antifungal activities using agar diffusion method and minimum inhibitory concentrations. The cytotoxic activity was evaluated using viability assay in breast (MCF-7), colon (HCT-116) and lung carcinoma (A-549) cells by the MTT assay. The results revealed that NEA oil exhibited potential antimicrobial activity against most of the tested organisms and showed promising cytotoxicity.

Evaluation of Cut-Foliage Plants for Eastern Ghats

A maiden attempt was made at Horticultural Research Station (HRS), a constituent research unit of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, located at Yercaud, Salem District, Tamil Nadu, India during 2012-2013 to assess the suitability of various ornamental foliage plant species under Shevroys /Eastern Ghats conditions. Considerable variation was found in quantitative and qualitative parameters among the foliage species. The study recommends Nephrolepis cordifolia and Asparagus sprengeri as suitable liners, while, large-leaved species like Cordyline fruticosa and Philodendron xanadu as background materials in larger arrangements, and the smaller-leaved Dracaena reflexa var. angustifolia for smaller arrangements.

Abilities of some higher plants to hydrolyze the acetates of phenols and aromatic-aliphatic alcohols

In the biotransformations carried out under the same conditions, the whole intact plants of <i>Spirodela punctata</i>, <i>Nephrolepis exaltata</i>, <i>Cyrtomium falcatum</i>, <i>Nephrolepis cordifolia</i> and the suspension cultures of <i>Helianthus tuberosus</i>, <i>Daucus carota</i> and <i>Petunia hybrida</i> hydrolyze (partially or totally) the ester bonds of the acetates of phenols and aromatic-aliphatic alcohols and also the menthyl acetate. Nevertheless, the methyl esters of aromatic acids, structurally similar to the former substrates, do not undergo hydrolysis. At the same time, the viability of first four plants was observed for different levels of acetate concentration. The method of continuous preparative hydrolysis of the same acetates was worked out in <i>Cyrtomium falcatum</i> culture.

Response of Marantaceae and Pteridophytes potted plants for purification of formaldehyde polluted air

Ten plants from Marantaceae families and ten plants from Pteridophytes were tested for their abilities of removing formaldehyde (FDH) in the air. Each of the plants was placed in a 1.0 ×1.0 × 0.8 m glass box filled with FDH for seven days with the initial concentration as 15 mg m-3. These plants such as Neottopteris nidus cv. Volulum, Calathea lubbersiana showed the most resistant ability to FDH damage; species such as Calathea ornata, Calathea setosa, Calathea freddy, and Calathea roseo-picta showed more resistant ability to FDH damage; species such as N. nidus, Pteris fauriei, Pteris ensiformis cv. Victoriae, Pteris cretica cv. Albolineata, Nephrolepis cordifolia, Cyclosorus parasiticus, Blechnum orientale, Maranta bicolor, and Calathea zebrina showed the worst resistance to FDH. The absorption of FDH by plants in the glass box chamber was found especially apparent during the first three days. The fastest purification of FDH was found in species such as C. zebrina, M. punctatumi¼Œand the slowest was found in species such as C. parasiticus, P. ensiformis cv. Victoriae, N. nidus cv. Volulum, and C. setosa. In conclusion, 8 species of the potted plants which could be recommendable to be used for FDH purification were N. nidus, Calathea rotundifolia, P. cretica cv. Albolineata, C. ornata, P. bifurcatum, N. nidus cv. Volulum, C. roseo-picta, and C. freddy. These plants have high absorption ability to FDH and receive less damage. Key words: Formaldehyde, Marantaceae, potted plants, Pteridophytes, purification.

Contribuciones del Laboratorio de Cultivo de Tejidos Vegetales de Zamorano a la Micropropagación y Propagación de Plantas Libres de Patógenos

Zamorano inauguró el Laboratorio de Cultivo de Tejidos Vegetales en 1985, durante 27 años se ha investigado sobre propagación in vitro de cultivos ornamentales, agronómicos y maderables. Entre los ornamentales más investigados está la orquídea Rhyncholaelia digbyana, flor nacional de Honduras, y varias especies nativas de la región. También se ha trabajado en violeta africana (Saintpaulia ionantha), zamias (Zamioculcas zamiifolia), helechos (Nephrolepis cordifolia) y anturios (Anthurium andreanum), cultivos apreciados en el mercado local de ornamentales y que son producto de las prácticas del aprender haciendo de nuestros estudiantes. Los últimos cuatro años se ha investigado y producido plántulas de especies económicamente importantes para la industria y la producción de energía como la caña de azúcar y el Arundo donax; para procesos de extracción de compuestos como la Stevia rebaudiana; para la exportación como malanga (Colocasia esculenta), y camote (Ipomea batatas). Se ha contribuido con los pequeños y medianos productores y exportadores de camote con aproximadamente 3000 plantas por año de camote libres de virus. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/ceiba.v52i1.1130

1-MCP partially alleviates dehydration-induced abscission in cut leaves of the fern Nephrolepis cordifolia

Fern leaves, also called fronds, are often used in bouquets. Leaves of the sword fern ( Nephrolepis cordifolia) consist of a central vascular tissue, with numerous leaflets (pinnae) at each side. Leaves that have been cut and immediately placed in water show abscission of the pinnae, starting from about day 4 of vase life, with 50% pinnae abscission on day 13. The onset of pinnae abscission was hastened by a period of dehydration (3, 6, 9 or 12 h at 25 °C). The time to 50% pinnae abscission was between 7.0 and 4.7 days after 3 h and 12 h of dehydration, respectively. Dehydration treatments might induce air emboli in the xylem, but in these experiments did not inhibit water uptake. Dehydration did increase the rate of ethylene production of the cut leaves throughout vase life. A 3 h treatment with 1-MCP at concentrations of 200 or 300 nL L −1 prior to the period of dehydration reduced the rate of ethylene production and reduced the rate of abscission. 1-MCP treatments were also effective if given after the period of dehydration. The data show that pinnae abscission limits the vase life of cut leaves of the sword fern, and that a short period of water stress drastically increases the rate of abscission. The increase in pinnae abscission was correlated with an increase in ethylene production. As 1-MCP alleviated the effect of dehydration on pinnae abscission, the dehydration effect involved ethylene perception. The data suggest that a small water stress induced an autocatalytic rise in ethylene production which was the direct cause of the increase in pinnae abscission.

On the recollections of two imperfectly known ferns in the fern flora of Nainital Hills

Thelypteris nudata (Roxb.) C.V. Morton and Nephrolepis cordifolia (L.) Trimen belonging to the family Thelypteridaceae and Oleandraceae respectively have been collected recently from the area evidently indicating their possible rarity in Nainital hills due to which they have not been recollected in the past by the earlier workers. This paper attempts to provide relevant information about them along with a brief description, ecology and distribution in India and world.

Criptógamos do Parque Estadual das Fontes do Ipiranga, São Paulo, SP.Pteridophyta: 4. Davalliaceae, 19. Schizaeaceae, 23. Vittariaceae e 24. Woodsiaceae

Neste trabalho são apresentados os dados referentes ao levantamento florístico das famílias Davalliaceae, Schizaeaceae, Vittariaceae e Woodsiaceae no Parque Estadual das Fontes do Ipiranga (PEFI). Davalliaceae, Vittariaceae e Woodsiaceae estão representadas na área por um único gênero e uma única espécie cada: Nephrolepis cordifolia (L.) C. Presl, Vittaria lineata (L.) Sm. e Deparia petersenii (Kunze) M. Kato, respectivamente. Esta última espécie ocorre na área como subespontânea. Há também Schizaeaceae com dois gêneros e três espécies: Anemia phyllitidis (L.) Sw., A. raddiana Link e Lygodium volubile Sw. São apresentadas chaves para identificação dos gêneros e espécies de Schizaeaceae, bem como descrições, distribuição geográfica e comentários para todos os táxons. Ilustrações são apresentadas apenas para algumas espécies.

First Report of Idiopterus nephrelepidis (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in Central America

Ferns are the second largest group of vascular plants in Costa Rica composing of approximately 12% of the flora (Moran 2003). Fern cultivation and exportation is one of the most important eco nomic activities in Central America, and especially in Costa Rica (Ocampo S?nchez 2007). Costa Rica has 31 companies dedicated to fern cultivation; they export 1,800 containers of ferns per year to 20 destinations, accounting for approximately 25.3 million dollars (El Financiero 2008). Blackman & Eastop (2006) document 62 spe cies of aphids that potentially can feed on ferns, although none of them have been reported as pests of ferns in Central America. However, they have the potential to become future pests consid ering their capacity to directly damage foliage or to transmit virus. A fern aphid, Idiopterus nephrelepidis Davis, 1909 (Aphidinae: Macrosiphini), was collected in Cariblanco (10?16.192,N, 84o10.922W) on 27 Mar 2009 from Nephrolepis cordifolia (L.) C. Presi. (Ole andraceae), and again in Coronado (10?00.784'N 83?57.10rW) on 12 Jul 2009 from Blechnum schiedeanum (Schltd. ex C. Presi) Hieron (Blech naceae). In both samples, wingless and winged indi viduals were abundant in the colonies located on

In Vitro antibacterial and antifungal properties of aqueous and non-aqueous frond extracts of Psilotum nudum, Nephrolepis biserrata and Nephrolepis cordifolia

Plants are an important source of neutraceuticals that have proved to be effective against important microbial infections of humans. Lower plants are gaining importance in this regard. The present study is aimed at investigating the antimicrobial properties of three selected ferns, Psilotum nudum, Nephrolepis biserrata and Nephrolepis cordifolia. The aerial parts of the selected ferns, P. nudum, N. biserrata and N. cordifolia, were fractionated in different solvents. These fractions were concentrated to obtain a powder and were tested against nine bacterial and three fungal strains according to disc diffusion method. The water and ethanol fractions were active against most of the tested bacterial and fungal strains, some of these were more effective than the controls tested. Present study suggests that the pteridophytes, P. nudum, N. biserrata and N. cordifolia could be good source of antimicrobials. These natural compounds might be more effective as the microbes may have lesser chance of developing resistant mutants.

Degradation of pruning wastes by Phanerochaete sordida growing in SSF: Ultrastructural, chemical, and enzymatic studies

A solid standard fermentation (SSF) with the fungus Phanerochaete sordida in a medium with Nephrolepis cordifolia (entire pinnae separated from the rachis) and Laurus nobilis (fragmented leaves) was performed over 92 days to study the degradation of leaves with histological, chemical, and enzymatic methods. The fungus entered the leaves early, through the stomata in N. cordifolia and L. nobilis, and also through mechanical cuts that had been made in the latter. The initial attack affected the mesophyll in both plant species, and the phloem in L. nobilis. The vascular bundle of N. cordifolia was protected by a sheath of cells with thick lignified walls. The collenchyma cell walls situated near the principal vein in L. nobilis swelled during the initial stages of enzymatic action, but reduced their thickness afterwards, mainly in regions of contact with the hyphae. At the end of the experiment, no species had leaves with mesophyll. In L. nobilis, phloem was also lacking, and a partial and heterogeneous attack on the xylem became evident. The histological changes are compared with the enzymatic activities and the chemical composition of the culture media, describing the stages of fungal colonization.

Contribución al conocimiento de la flora alóctona catalana

From Catalonia and its neighbouring territories some poorly documented plants, as well as a few previously unrecorded taxa such as Elymus elongatus subsp. ponticus, Euphorbia dentata, Muhlenbergia schreberi, Nephrolepis cordifolia, and Pennisetum clandestinum, are dealt with. Also some taxonomic notes regarding Agropyron cristatum var. pectiniforme, Festuca valesiaca and species of the genus Opuntia are presented.

Aluminum accumulation and its relationship with mineral plant nutrients in 12 pteridophytes from Venezuela

The purpose of this study was to investigate the aluminum (Al) concentration in Lycopodium clavatum, Dicranopteris flexuosa, Sticherus nudus, Anemia villosa, Cyathea gibbosa, Pteridium arachnoideum, Pteris vittata, Thelypteris dentata, Blechnum occidentale, Elaphoglossum sporadolepis, Nephrolepis cordifolia and Polypodium pseudoaureum, species from 11 families with different phylogenetic position, found on soils with a high concentration of Al (up to 13 g kg −1 dry mass (DM)). When Al concentration and mineral nutrients in aerial organs were considered, pteridophytes were classified into three groups: group one included pteridophytes with Al concentrations over 1000 mg kg −1 DM in their aerial organs, a ratio between Al and essential plant nutrients such as Ca, Mg and P higher than one and a K/Al ratio between 0.68 and 2.56 mol mol −1. In group 1 was the well known Al-accumulator L. clavatum (Lycophyte) as well as the Neotropical ferns D. flexuosa, S. nudus (both basal leptosporangiate ferns), and C. gibbosa (core leptosporangiate tree fern). Group 2, ferns which accumulate Al over 1000 mg kg −1 DM in their fronds, and had an Al/Ca and Al/Mg ratio <1. Species in this group included E. sporadolepis and N. cordifolia (derived polypod ferns). Group 3, ferns classified as Al-excluders, showing Al concentration <782 mg kg −1 DM in the fronds, had Al/Ca and Al/Mg ratios <1, Al/P ratio ≤1 and a K/Al ratio between 18.10 and 80.36 mol mol −1. In group 3, were A. villosa (basal leptosporangiate fern) and the derived polypod ferns P. arachnoideum, P. vittata, T. dentata, B. occidentale and P. pseudoaureum. The translocation factor of Al from subterranean to aerial organs was up to 4 in S. nudus, and subterranean organs from E. sporadolepis showed the highest concentration of Al (12 g kg −1 DM). We coincide with early literature in that other criteria in addition to the Al concentration should be considered to define the Al accumulation, such as its relationship with macronutrients. For example, we propose the inclusion of K/Al ratio. We conclude that out of six Al-excluders five belonged to the derived polypods while two species from Polypodiales showed high Al concentrations. We reconfirm accumulation of Al in L. clavatum and C. gibbosa and discover two new Al-accumulating species in the more ancient ferns: S. nudus and D. flexuosa.

Level of trace elements in Pteridophytes growing on serpentine and metalliferous soils

AbstractA screening of Pteridophytes growing on serpentine and metalliferous soils in Northern Italy was carried out to assess the ability of these plants to tolerate or accumulate trace elements of toxicological interest. Few data are available on metal tolerance/accumulation of terrestrial ferns growing in the Mediterranean region, and several species presented here have never been investigated for this purpose. The trace‐element composition (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, Zn) and P content of aerial parts of plants (12 fern and 2 horsetail species) and of their associated soils were measured. An analysis of the relationship between element concentrations in soil and in shoot revealed a significant correlation only for Zn (p &lt; 0.05). Hierarchical cluster analysis based on element concentrations in plant aerial parts showed two outliers, viz. Equisetum ramosissimum Desf., showing the highest levels of Cr, Fe, Cu, Ni, and As, and Nephrolepis cordifolia C. Presl., showing the highest Pb value. The bioaccumulation factor exceeded 1 only for Cd in two species, Athyrium filix‐femina and Dryopteris filix‐mas. However, also in these cases the corresponding values of the metal in the shoots were below the thresholds for hyperaccumulators. The examined Pteridophytes seem to have developed their adaptation prevalently through mechanisms of tolerance based on metal exclusion. None of these plant species seem suitable for phytoextraction, but N. cordifolia, Pteridium aquilinum ssp. aquilinum, and E. ramosissimum have potential to be used for stabilization and restoration of soils rich in heavy metals.

Herbivore Damage to Ferns Caused by a Chrysomelid Beetle From Lower Gangetic Plains of West Bengal, India

This paper records the occurrence of a polyphagous beetle, Schenklingia bhaumiki (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), feeding on ten fern species growing in the Lower Gangetic Plains of West Bengal, India viz., Christella dentata, Ampelopteris prolifera, Cyclosorus sp., Pteris vittata, Nephrolepis cordifolia, N. exaltata, Adiantum philippense, Drynaria propinqua, Pyrrosia adnascens and Phymatosorus scolopendria for the first time. The adult beetles are leaf surface scraper and skeletonize the lamina. The larvae are leaf miners and produce linear-blotch mines between the epidermal layers with continuous spiral black frass. Young leaves of all ten species of ferns are significantly less damaged than mature ones indicating that both the adults and the larvae attack leaves of all ages. Herbivore damage of the beetle infested ferns ranged from 1.94% to 25.47% and 2.68% to 54.86% for scraping feeding and mining feeding respectively. Among the host ferns, the members of Thelypteridaceae viz., Christella (Scraping feeding 25.47%; mining feeding 54.86%), Ampelopteris (Scraping feeding 24.10%; mining feeding 53.60%) and Cyclosorus (Scraping feeding 16.06%, mining feeding 27.12%) suffered maximum herbivore damage. Interspecific variation of plant size and biogeographic range of the fern species are not related to herbivore damage. Insects may perhaps attack fewer ferns than angiosperms, but there is no evidence that ferns are generally less damaged than angiosperms.

Heavy metal tolerance in common fern species

The effects of cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) on the growth and uptake of 10 fern species was investigated under a controlled environment in order to evaluate their suitability for phytoremediation. Fern species included Adiantum aethiopicum, Blechnum cartilagineum, Blechnum nudum, Calochlaena dubia, Dennstaedtia davallioides, Doodia aspera, Hypolepis muelleri, Nephrolepis cordifolia, Pellaea falcata and the arsenic (As) hyperaccumulating Pteris vittata. Ferns were exposed to four levels of metals at concentrations of 0, 50, 100 and 500 mg kg–1 for a period of 20 weeks. The response of ferns significantly varied among species and metals. In general, heavy-metal translocation was limited, with metals being absorbed and held in roots, suggesting an exclusion mechanism as part of the ferns’ tolerance to the applied metals. Similar metal-accumulation patterns were observed for all species in that accumulation generally increased with increasing metal treatments; in most cases a sharp increase in metal accumulation was observed between 100 and 500 mg kg–1 treatments, suggesting a breakdown in tolerance mechanisms and unrestricted metal transport. This was corroborated by enhanced visual toxicity symptoms and a reduction in survival rates among ferns when exposed to 500 mg kg–1 metal treatments; and to a lesser extent 100 mg kg–1 metal treatments. Of the species investigated, N. cordifolia and H. muelleri were identified as possible candidates in phytostabilisation of Cu, Pb, Ni or Zn contaminated soils. Similarly, D. davallioides appeared favourable for use in phytostabilisation of Cu and Zn contaminated soils. These species had high survival rates and accumulated high levels of the aforementioned metals relative to other ferns investigated. Ferns belonging to the family Blechnaceae (B. nudum, B. cartilagineum and D. aspera) and C. dubia (Family Dicksoniaceae) were least tolerant to most metals, had a low survival rate and were classified as being unsuitable for phytoremediation purposes. Metal tolerance was also observed in P. vittata when exposed to Cd, Cr and Cu; however, no hyperaccumulation was observed.

Contributions to a chromosome atlas of the New Zealand flora ‐ 38. Counts for 50 families

Documented chromosome numbers are reported for 187 taxa (170 species, 9 subspecies, 8 varieties), 5 hybrids (four putative, one artificial), and 18 of uncertain rank from 50 families (84 genera; 2 lycophyte, 11 pterophyte and 71 anthophyte). Of these, 189 counts are new for the New Zealand flora (167 of these are from named taxa). Many of the counts reported are from more poorly investigated families (e.g., Cyperaceae, Lycopodiaceae, Pota‐mogetonaceae) and genera (e.g., Desmoschoenus, Freycinetia, Lycopodiella, Lycopodium, Potamo‐geton, Schoenus), indigenous to New Zealand, or from nationally uncommon and/or threatened taxa (e.g., Eleocharis neozelandica, Hebe societatis, Myriophyllum robustum, and Pittosporum dallii), and/or newly described plants (e.g., Gingidia gri‐sea, Olearia adenocarpa), while three counts are from naturalised species (Alternanthera sessilis, Nephrolepis cordifolia, and Senecio skirrhodon), and one from a cultivated plant of Metrosideros nervulosa. In the majority of genera the numbers follow established patterns. Counts have now been obtained for all known New Zealand representatives of the Alseuosmiaceae, Chloranthaceae, Dryopteri‐daceae, Elatinaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Geraniaceae, Hydatellaceae, Lauraceae, Linaceae, Rubiaceae, Scrophulariaceae, Nephrolepidaceae, Nyctagina‐ceae, Pandanaceae, Polypodiaceae, Sapotaceae, and Thelypteridaceae.

Ophioglossum pendulum L. Naturalized in Miami, Dade County, Florida

Ophioglossum pendulum L. Naturalized in Miami, Dade County, Florida.Ophioglossum pendulum L. has been discovered separately by Adrian Tejedor and Craig Allen, growing on cultivated palm trees in Miami, Florida. Ophioglossum pendulum is an Old World epiphyte, which grows from Madagascar through tropical Asia and into Polynesia. It has been infrequently cultivated in tropical fern collections in Miami since the mid-1970s. This is the first report of established plants growing outside of strictly man-made, horticultural conditions in the New World. This is quite a surprising discovery due to the relative difficulty of maintaining this exotic species in cultivation. Two populations are known in two separate sites in Coral Gables, a community located in southeast Miami. One population (discovered by Adrian Tejedor, in April, 1998) is growing in the persistent leaf bases of Canary Island date palms (Phoenix canariensis) along a public street. In this location, three colonies are on adjacent palms and a fourth is some distance away, in the same row of planted palms. A second, small population, is growing on a sugar palm (Arenga pinnata), inside of Fairchild Tropical Gardens. It was discovered during the summer of 1995, by Craig Allen. In both locations, mature, sporulating plants are growing among the old persistent leaf bases on the palm trunks. Two of the date palm colonies were relatively large and vigorous in 1998, the other two were smaller. The largest colony covered 1.5 square meters of the palm trunk, about ten feet from the ground, with an estimated number of 60 fronds. Considering the slow growth typical of 0. pendulum, this largest colony is estimated to be in excess of 15 years old, and may be much older. In March 1999, only 12 fronds were observed. The majority of the fronds observed the previous year had died and remained in place, completely dried and shriveled. Only the largest fronds bore sporangia. One fertile appendage is borne on the undersurface of the large fronds, which are from 45 to 90 cm. long. Most of the fronds in all the colonies are small, infertile and average 45 cm. in length. Specimens have been taken from this population to document its occurrence and are on deposit at the Fairchild Tropical Garden Herbarium (A. Tejedor, Fairchild Herbarium #81775). In Phoenix and other palm genera, a compact and spongy mass of old leaf bases remains attached to the palm's upper trunk for many years after the leaves are shed. This is where O. pendulum and other epiphytes become established. In the case of Ophioglossum, the dangling fronds are the only visible part of the plant. The rhizome and root system are hidden under the substrate of old leaf bases of the palm. Adventitious shoot buds that develop on the root system eventually produce a colony of plants on the south-east side of the trunk, sheltered by the leaf crown. The dead leaf bases have an ability to remain remarkably wet for days after a rain. The palm leaf-base habitat seems favorable for these ferns, which otherwise may not survive to South Florida's long, late winter and spring, dry season. During the dry winter of 1999 the colonies seemed to have suffered and appeared decidedly smaller. Other epiphytes that coexist with O. pendulum in this habitat are the Boston fern (Nephrolepis cordifolia) and young individuals of Ficus aurea (strangler fig) and 46

Optimising conditions for growth of Nephrolepis ferns

Growth response of three Nephrolepis cultivars ( Nephrolepis exaltata Schott ‘Boston’, ‘Dallas Queen’ and Nephrolepis cordifolia (L.) Presl. ‘Kimberley Queen’) to temperature, atmospheric vapour pressure deficit (VPD) and photon flux density (PFD) have been examined. The best temperature for growth of all three cultivars was 24°C, with both leaf area and total dry weight being reduced at lower or higher temperatures. ‘Boston’ was least tolerant of low temperature (15°C) and ‘Dallas Queen’ least tolerant of high temperature (30°C). Low VPD (400 Pa at 30°C) approximately doubled both total dry weight and total frond area in all three cultivars when compared with plants grown at high VPD (2200 Pa), though ‘Dallas Queen’ was the most tolerant. Growth was limited in all cultivars in PFDs of < 300 μmol m −2 s −1 (12 h light period), and growth of ‘Dallas Queen’ was also reduced at 600 μmol m −2 s −1. In an experiment which simulated household light conditions, ‘Boston’ was found to be the best adapted cultivar for very low light. Optimum production efficiency in commercial nurseries will only be realised when such complexities of cultivar differences and their varying responses to environmental conditions are fully described.

In vitro propagation of Nephrolepis cordifolia Prsel

Rapid propagation of Nephrolepis cordifolia was achieved by means of runner tip culture in vitro. Runner tips produced green globular bodies (GGB) when quarter-strength Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with 0.5 mg 1 −1 of benzylaminopurine (BA) was used. GGB easily regenerated plantlets by culturing on BA-free medium, and GGB were rapidly multiplied on BA medium. The multiplication rates were 4–41 times per month expressed as increment of fresh weight, depending on the size of the segment for sub-culture. Consequently, using GGB for the multiplication stage, 160 000 plantlets could be obtained from one runner tip in 6 months.