Effects of Environmental Conditions on the Germination of Spores and Development of Gametophytes and Sterile Stems in Field Horsetail (Equisetum arvense L.)

Abstract

The effects of temperature, acidity of medium, aerial conditions and soil moisture conditions on spore germination and development of gametophytes and sterile stems in field horsetail (Equisetum arvense L.) were examined.
Spores could germinate and develop into gametophytes and sterile stems in MS medium within a 60 day period of culture. Spores could germinate in the temperature range from 15 to 30°C, and the highest germination percentage of the spores occurred at 20°C. Spores could germinate in the acidity range of the medium from pH 4.5-6.5 in agar medium. Spores could germinate and develop gametophytes easily in the acidity range of soil from pH 5.3-7.2. Spores could germinate under low oxygen conditions. The soil moisture conditions affected the spore germination and the development of gametophytes and sterile stems. Spores could germinate under soil moisture conditions below pF 2.7 and could develop into gametophytes and sterile stems below pF 2.0.