GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF FERN GAMETOPHYTES IN AN AIRLIFT FERMENTER

Spores of the ferns Pteridium aquilinum and Anemia phyllitidis were gr own in an airlift fermenter and subsequent growth and development of g ametophytes was monitored. Both species produced greater biomass than that generated in any other solid- or liquid-based culture system test ed. Pteridium generated more tissue than Anemia in every system. The m orphology of airlift-grown gametophytes was similar to that of soil-gr own plants; fewer gametophytes with perturbed development were observe d in airlift cultures than in the other liquid-based systems. No attem pt was made to optimise airlift conditions for the species and tissue employed, so it is concluded that airlift cultivation is a promising s ystem for the bulk production of fern gametophytic tissue.