The sporophyte and gametophyte of Pteris vittata are arsenic hyperaccumulators, however, little is known about the mechanism by which the gametophyte deals with this toxic element. An in vitro system (spores grown in arsenic amended nutrient media) was used to investigate the impact of arsenic on growth of the gametophyte and the role of antioxidative systems in combating As-stress. When mature spores of P. vittata were grown in medium amended with 0-50 mg kg(-1) of arsenic (as arsenate), the arsenic concentration in the gametophyte increased, with increasing arsenate in the media, but did not inhibit the spore germination and biomass development. Increases in the level of antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione-Stransferase) and of ascorbic acid and glutathione probably enabled the gametophyte to withstand the oxidative stress caused by arsenate. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.