Studies on Cryptogramma crispa spore germination

In order to study the germination capacity of Cryptogramma crispa, spores were cultured on sterilized Petri dishes with nutritive medium solidified with agar. Germination was checked at 10, 15, 20 and 25 degrees C, and, as in most of homosporous ferns, the germination optimum was at temperatures above 20 degrees C. Two light intensities were used, 10 and 40 mu Em (2)s (1), to reproduce the possibilities of the spores Falling on open sites or in rock cracks or hollows. A lower light intensity accelerates germination. After sowing, some plates were kept at chilling and other at freezing temperatures to check the effect of low storage temperatures on the germination capacity of the spores. After these processes, the spores are able to germinate and reach similar germination rates, although the frozen spores delay the beginning of germination and show a decreased germination rate. The results of these experiments point toward the possibility that the spores of C. crispa are dispersed at the end of the growing season and go through a dormancy until next spring.