Flowering phenology and potential pollen emission of three Artemisia species in relation to airborne pollen data in Poznań (Western Poland).

Paweł Bogawski,Agata Frątczak,Łukasz Grewling

doi:10.1007/s10453-015-9397-z

Paweł Bogawski, Agata Frątczak + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.1007/s10453-015-9397-z

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Journal: Aerobiologia	Publication Date: Jul 17, 2015
Citations: 32	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań

Abstract

Artemisia pollen is an important allergen in Europe. In Poznań (Western Poland), three Artemisia species, A. vulgaris, A. campestris and A. absinthium, are widely distributed. However, the contributions of these species to the total airborne pollen are unknown. The aim of the study was to determine the flowering phenology and pollen production of the three abovementioned species and to construct a model of potential Artemisia pollen emission in the study area. Phenological observations were conducted in 2012 at six sites in Poznań using a BBCH phenological scale. Pollen production was estimated by counting the pollen grains per flower and recalculating the totals per inflorescence, plant and population in the study area. Airborne pollen concentrations were obtained using a Hirst-type volumetric trap located in the study area. Artemisia vulgaris began to flower the earliest, followed by A. absinthium and then A. campestris. The flowering of A. vulgaris corresponded to the first peak in the airborne pollen level, and the flowering of A. campestris coincided with the second pollen peak. The highest amounts of pollen per single plant were produced by A. vulgaris and A. absinthium. A. campestris produced considerably less pollen, however, due to its common occurrence, it contributed markedly (30 %) to the summation of total of recorded pollen. A. vulgaris is the most important pollen source in Poznań, but the roles of two other Artemisia species cannot be ignored. In particular, A. campestris should be considered as an important pollen contributor and likely might be one of the main causes of allergic reactions during late summer.

Highlights

Artemisia pollen is one of the most important aeroallergens, in Central Europe, where the sensitization rate ranges from 10.6 % in Austria to 44.3 % in Hungary (Burbach et al 2009)
The first Artemisia pollen grains were recorded on 5 July, 2012 (DOY 187) (Fig. 2); during the 2 weeks, the daily average pollen concentration never reached 10 pollen/m3
A strong increase in the Artemisia pollen level was observed at the end of July, which corresponded with an increase in the daily average air temperature

Summary

Introduction

Artemisia pollen is one of the most important aeroallergens, in Central Europe, where the sensitization rate ranges from 10.6 % in Austria to 44.3 % in Hungary (Burbach et al 2009). In Poland, this taxon is considered the third most important source (after birch and grasses) of allergenic pollen, and the prevalence of pollinosis to Artemisia allergens is approximately 10–15 % (Stach et al 2007; Burbach et al 2009). Pollen grains produced by different Artemisia species are very similar, i.e. trizonocolporate and small (18–24 lm), with scabrate exine thickening between neighbouring furrows (Accorsi et al 1991). They are practically indistinguishable; in standard aerobiological monitoring, all collected Artemisia pollen grains are considered together as ‘Artemisia pollen type’. Worldwide there are over 50 species of Artemisia with different ecological and physiological requirements, different times of flowering and pollen release and differences in both the size and structure of inflorescences (Tutin 1972; Laursen et al 2007; Grewling et al 2012)

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