Jasmonic acid stimulates development of rhizoids and shoots in fern leaf culture

We studied the effects of jasmonic acid (JA) on rhizoid and adventitious sh oot formation in leaf culture of the fern Platycerium bifurcatum (Cav.) C.C hr. Leaf explants were grown on modified MS medium without (control) or wit h 0.1, 1, 10, 100 mu mol/L JA. IA promoted rhizoid development on leaves. B oth the percentage of leaves with rhizoids and their number per explant inc reased in JA-treated leaves. Addition of JA to the medium enhanced shoot de velopment on leaves. While on the control medium shoots arose mostly on the abaxial side of the leaf, JA induced shoot formation also on the adaxial s ide. Analysis of soluble proteins from 60-day-old JA-treated explants revea led several alterations in polypeptide patterns when compared with the cont rol. These results strongly suggest that jasmonates may be involved in regu lation of morphogenesis in the fern P. bifurcatum. Moreover JA may interact with similar regulatory mechanisms in pteridophytes and angiosperms.