Abstract
IT is well known that relatively undifferentiated tissues of many vascular plants can be grown continuously in aseptic culture, and, under appropriate conditions, may often be induced to produce normal fully differentiated organs1. Similar cultures do not appear to have been described for any of the bryophytes. Wettstein2,3 obtained undifferentiated apolar tissue from spores of Funaria, by growing them on media containing relatively high concentrations of thiamine or of narcotics such as chloralhydrate, but the cell masses produced never comprised more than 30–50 cells. Meyer4 observed similar clumps of rounded cells in cultures prepared from the spores of an unnamed leafy liverwort (probably Cephaloziella) but after several months the clumps gave rise to leafy shoots. In contrast with the restricted growth described in these previous investigations, the active and apparently unlimited growth of a callus-like tissue has now been obtained in two representatives of the liverworts—Fossombronia pusilla (L.) Dum. (Jungermanniales Anacrogynae) and Reboulia hemisphaerica (L.) Raddi (Marchantiales).
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Gautheret, R. J., Ann. Rev. Plant Physiol., 6, 433 (1955).
Bünning, E., and Wettstein, D. v., Naturwiss., 40, 147 (1953).
Wettstein, D. v., Z. Bot., 41, 199 (1953).
Meyer, D. E., Naturwiss., 40, 297 (1954).
Chalaud, G., Rev. Gén. Bot., 41, 24 (1929).
Bünning, E., Surv. Biol. Prog., 2, 105 (1952).
Bünning, E., in “The Growth of Leaves” (London, 1956).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
ALLSOPP, A. Controlled Differentiation in Cultures of Two Liverworts. Nature 179, 681–682 (1957). https://doi.org/10.1038/179681a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/179681a0
This article is cited by
-
An Observation on Growth Response of Anomobryum filiforme var. concinnatum (Spruce) Aman. (Bryaceae) in Different Culture Media
National Academy Science Letters (2013)
-
From axenic spore germination to molecular farming
Plant Cell Reports (2005)
-
Growth and sesquiterpenoid production by Calypogeia granulata inoue cells in suspension culture
Planta (1981)
-
Establishment and growth characteristics of a cell suspension culture of Marchantia polymorpha L. with high chlorophyll content
Planta (1977)
-
Callusing and regeneration of cell-aggregates and free-cells of a hepatic:Asterella angusta Aust.
Experientia (1971)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.