Sexual Life Cycle of Three Species of Funariaceae in Culture

Abstract

Species [3] of the Funariaceae (Physcomitrella patens (Hedw.) B.S.G., Physcomitrium pyriforme (Hedw.) Hampe and Funaria hygrometrica Hedw.) were cultured under sterile conditions on Knop''s inorganic medium (liquid and agar) to determine the conditions and minimum time necessary for completion of the sexual life cycle (spore to spore). The life cycle of F. hygrometrica may be completed in 4 mo.; P. pyriforme in 3 mo. and P. patens in 2 mo. In all 3 spp. the critical factor for the induction and maturation of gametangia is cold temperature. Delineation of the life cycle makes these organisms suitable for genetic study.