Mobilisation of storage reserves during fern spore germination

Abstract

SynopsisWe have studied morphological and biochemical aspects of storage reserves and their degradation in fern spores during the germination process. The results presented here are concerned with the fate of lipid, protein and phytic acid. Depletion of lipid reserves and breakdown of lipid bodies was directly correlated with increased activity of glyoxylate cycle enzymes during early stages of germination. Degradation of protein reserves coincided with the depletion of salt soluble proteins (globulins) from the spores and was related to the time when high activity of aminopeptidase and carboxypeptidase was observed. Lipid and protein appeared to play an important role in germination. Phytic acid reserves were present in the spore and were hydrolysed by phytase after germination occurred. This storage material was implicated in growth of the prothallus.