Mycothallic/mycorrhizal symbiosis of chlorophyllous gametophytes and sporophytes of a fern, Pellaea viridis (Forsk.) Prantl (Pellaeaceae, Pteridales)

Gametophytes of Pellaea viridis that appeared spontaneously on the surface of substratum originating from an ultramafic area were found to form mycothallic symbiosis with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) under laboratory conditions. In gametophytes and sporophytes grown with Glomus tenue, abundant arbuscule formation was observed at both stages. In gametophytes, the fungus was found in the region where the rhizoids are initiated. If G. intraradices was added to the soil, the gametophytes were colonised mostly by G. tenue, and roots of sporophytes were colonised by G. intraradices. The presence of AM fungi in both gametophytes and sporophytes of P. viridis resulted in the development of larger leaf area and root length of the sporophyte. The analysis of gametophytes from the Botanical Garden in Krakow (Poland) showed that cordate gametophytes of Pteridales, namely Pellaea viridis (Pellaeaceae), Adiantum raddianum and A. formosum (Adiantaceae), were also mycothallic.