Metabolic adaptation of Pteris vittata L. gametophyte to arsenic induced oxidative stress

► The sporophyte of fern Pteris vittata is an arsenic hyperaccumulator. ► This paper demonstrates the response of gametophyte (a free living, autotrophic haploid stage in fern) to arsenic. ► The study shows that gametophyte are As-hyperaccumulator and have a well developed antioxidant system. ► This adaptation of P. vittata gametophyte to arsenic, make it an ideal system to study As-hyperaccumulation mechanism.