Comment on the lifecycle and nature of a fern prothallus.
. Fern (pteridophytes) exhibit haplo-diplontic condition. In this condition; both the gametophytic and sporophytic phases are multicellular. The diploid sporophyte is represented by a dominant, independent, photosynthetic, vascular plant body. The haploid gametophyte is also independent but it lives for a shorter duration than the sporophyte generation. The following figure shows the life cycle of plant showing haplodiplontic
condition.
Nature of Fern Prothallus:
The prothallus represents the haploid gametophytic generation. This is multicellular, ndependent, photosynthetic form which lives for a short duration. The prothallus needs cool, damp and shady place to grow. Due to its requirement of water for fertilization, pteridophytes are restricted to narrow geographical regions.
