Generational differences in response to desiccation stress in the desert moss Tortula inermis.
OBJECTIVE
Active growth in post-embryonic sporophytes of desert mosses is restricted to the cooler, wetter months. However, most desert mosses have perennial gametophytes. It is hypothesized that these life history patterns are due, in part, to a reduced desiccation tolerance for sporophytes relative to gametophytes.


METHODS
Gametophytes with attached post-embryonic sporophytes of Tortula inermis (early seta elongation phenophase) were exposed to two levels of desiccation stress, one rapid-dry cycle and two rapid-dry cycles, then moistened and allowed to recover, resume development, and/or regenerate for 35 d in a growth chamber.


RESULTS
Gametophytes tolerated the desiccation treatments well, with 93 % survival through regenerated shoot buds and/or protonemata. At the high stress treatment, a significantly higher frequency of burned leaves and browned shoots occurred. Sporophytes were far more sensitive to desiccation stress, with only 23 % surviving after the low desiccation stress treatment, and 3 % surviving after the high desiccation stress treatment. While the timing of protonemal production and sporophytic phenophases was relatively unaffected by desiccation stress, shoots exposed to one rapid-dry cycle produced shoots more rapidly than shoots exposed to two rapid-dry cycles.


CONCLUSIONS
It is concluded that sporophytes of Tortula inermis are more sensitive to rapid drying than are maternal gametophytes, and that sporophyte abortion in response to desiccation results from either reduced desiccation tolerance of sporophytes relative to gametophytes, or from a termination of the sporophyte on the part of the gametophyte in response to stress.
Stark
Lloyd R
LR
School of Life Sciences, University of Nevada, 4505 Maryland Parkway, Las Vegas, NV 89154-4004, USA. LRS@UNLV.nevada.edu
Oliver
Melvin J
MJ
Mishler
Brent D
BD
McLetchie
D Nicholas
DN
D019068:Bryopsida / Q000502:physiology*; D003889:Desert Climate; D003890:Desiccation; D014867:Water / Q000502:physiology*
D014867:Water