Signal directs sperm: fern

1 of 1 Fern plants at Muir Woods / Sanjay ach / License

The sperm of ferns detect unfertilized archegonia via a malate signal.

Biomimicry Taxonomy

	Process information >
	Sense signals/environmental cues >
	Chemicals (odor, taste, etc.)

Biomimetic Application Ideas

Develop systems that mimic the malate signal so as to attract sperm of target weeds away from the unfertilized archegonia, thereby reducing the need for pesticide applications.

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[Collapse all sections] Summary

"In higher plants, we find positive chemotaxis in fern sperms, which respond to a malate signal from unfertilized archegonia." (Bar-Cohen 2006:474)

About the inspiring organism

Pteridophyta
Pteridophyta

Organism/taxonomy data provided by:
Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life: 2008 Annual Checklist

Bioinspired products and application ideas

Application Ideas: Develop systems that mimic the malate signal so as to attract sperm of target weeds away from the unfertilized archegonia, thereby reducing the need for pesticide applications.

Industrial Sector(s) interested in this strategy: Agriculture

References

Yoseph Bar-Cohen. 2006. Biomimetics: biologically inspired technologies. Boca Raton, FL: CRC/Taylor & Francis. 527 p.

Signal directs sperm: fern

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