Reproduction and life cycle of Psilotum

Reproduction and life cycle of Psilotum

1. Reproduction and life cycle of Psilotum Sankrita Gaonkar Assistant Professor in Botany [email protected]

2. Contents Reproduction in Psilotum Life cycle of Psilotum

3. Reproduction in Psilotum Vegetative propagation of sporophyte In some, presence of minute, multicellular outgrowths arising from rhizoids – gemmae or brood bodies Reproduction by spores Produced in specialized bodies – synangia Sporangia or synangia – short stalked trilobed structures Section through 3 lobes shows – partitioned into 3 sporogenous regions Sporangial wall – 3-4 layered

4. Gametophyte generation Starts with spores Is homosporous Slits appear on synangium lobes – spore disperse Spore germinate very slowly – 3-4 months for germination Gametophytes are monoecious

5. Sexual reproduction Sex organs scattered over gametophyte surface Antheridium Single layered jacket – cover spermatocytes No stalk Spermatocytes – develop into spermatozoids (spirally coiled, multiflagellate ) Archegonium 4 rows of neck cells 2 neck canal cells A venter canal cell An egg cell

6. References Vashishta BR. 2010. Botany for degree students: Pteridophytes. S. Chand & company ltd.