Spore Germination of Diplazium simplicivenium Holtt. (Athyriaceae) in Peninsular Malaysia

Abstract

Diplazium simplicivenium Holtt. a species of fern in Peninsular Malaysia. This study reports an efficient method for D. simplicivenium spore sterilisation and the effect of plant growth regulators (PGRs) via green globular bodies (GGB). Sterilisation with 0.1% mercuric chloride effectively allowed spore germination. The result showed that the culture media supplemented with 0.5 mg/L gibberellin positively affects the weight of GGB and the number of shoots with significant differences (ANOVA, p < 0.05). The soaking technique established in this study for spore sterilisation is an efficient approach, and the optimal plant and concentration of plant hormones were identified. This procedure can be applied to other indigenous ferns and closely similar species.