Development of Zoosporangium and Liberation of Zoospores in Achlya aplanes Maurizio var. indica Sak. et Dayal

Abstract

1. The development of zoospores and their liberation has been studied in Achlya aplanes Maurizio var. indica both in living and fixed conditions.
2. Four principal stages in the development of the sporangium in living condition were observed. The first stage consists of the inflow of protoplasm resulting in the formation of sporangium initials and the formation of basal septum, followed by the stage of preliminary division, the homogeneous stage and the stage of final division and formation of zoospores.
3. The zoospores after liberation undergo a period of rest, after which they germinate directly by germ tubes. Absence of any swimming stage was confirmed.
4. Studies in fixed condition regarding the developmental stages, confirm the findings made during living condition. No nuclear division was observed in the sporangium.