Spore Germination and Development of Protonema Anisothecium spirale Spores germinated after II days on basal medium, and percentage of germination was 40-50 %. Germination was preceded by an increase in diameter (2-3 times), and greening. The exine ruptured and the endospore protruded in the form of a germ tube which was separated from the spore quite early by a transverse septum (Plate I A). Germination was predominantly bipolar, but unipolar type was also noticed. The chloronema

more »

... into caulonema after about 7 days. The protonema developed into a circular patch and showed heterotrichous habit. Prostrate system comprised the main caulonemal filaments which had brown cell walls, oblique cross walls and elongated chloroplasts. Aerial system comprised cells with characteristics of typical chloronema: hyaline cell walls, transverse cross walls, numerous round chloroplasts (Plate I B). Some of the filaments of prostrate system also grew into the medium. PLATE 1. Spore germination and bud formation in Anisothecium spirale (A-C) and Pohlia elongata (D-F). A. Spore showing biploar germination x 670. B. A branched aerial filament showing cells with numerous round chloroplasts x 85. C. A young bud formed on caulonemal filament x 750. D . Spore showi ng bipolar germination x 400. E. A young bud showing differentiation of leaf primordium x 670. F. A young gametophore x 160.