Interaction between Antheridogens and Fatty Acids in Fern Spore Germination

Certain fatty acids in the C₅ to C₁₈ range, at concentrations as low as 10⁻⁵ M, were found to inhibit the germinations of spores of the sensitive fern, Onoclea sensibilis L. The addition of gametophytic culture flltrates of the bracken fern, Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn, containing antheridogen A, was found to overcome this inhibition and allow the spores to germinate and the gametophytes to develop in a normal fashion. Some fatty acids were found to increase the antheridium-inducing potency of antheridogen A as much as 10-fold. An effect similar to this may promote the diecious reproduction of ferns.