ESTABLISHMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF ASEPTIC CULTURE OF TRICHOMANES SPECIOSUM GAMETOPHYTES FROM GEMMAE

A technique is described for surface sterilization of gemmae of Tricho manes speciosum. The subsequent aseptic growth of gametophytes in arti ficial media under different temperature and light regimes is describe d. The utility of the technique as an alternative to surface steriliza tion of spores for the inception of gametophyte cultures of gemmiferou s ferns and bryophytes is demonstrated.