Abstract
In this study, the morphology and chemical composition of pollen grains of six birch species (Betula utilis Doorenbos, B. dahurica, B. maximowicziana, B. pendula, B. pubescens and B. humilis) were examined to verify which of these features allow distinguishing them in a more unambiguous way. For this purpose, scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy, as well as Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and curve-fitting analysis of amide I profile, were performed. The microscopy images show that the pollen grains of B. pubescens, B. pendula and B. humilis are similar in diameter and significantly smaller than those of others species, with the largest diameter observed for B. utilis Doorenbos. However, the results obtained from FTIR spectroscopy indicate that the chemical compositions of B. pubescens and B. pendula are similar, but B. humilis is outlaying. Summarizing, it is not possible to unambiguously state, which feature or which technique is the best for differentiating between the six chosen birch species. However, the study showed that both techniques have potential for identification of birch pollen species.
Highlights
Modern plant taxonomy is based on anatomical and morphological, as well as on genetic, biochemical and physiological studies (APG II 2003)
The pollen grains of B. humilis are smaller than 10 lm from grains of B. utilis Doorenbos, and both species are characteristic by great variability (Table 1)
Distinguishing birch pollen to species level is important in paleoecology and studies dealing with the content of allergenic pollen in air
Summary
Modern plant taxonomy is based on anatomical and morphological, as well as on genetic, biochemical and physiological studies (APG II 2003). One of many features, which could be used in taxonomy, is the morphology of pollen grains. Pollen grains have a very large variety of forms. The other indicative features are shape, grain size, as well as number, type and position of the apertures (Erdtman 1952). The pollen grains are identified with different accuracies. It is not possible to identify pollen grains to species level, as in the case of Betula, Alnus, Populus or Artemisia. It is possible to identify pollen grains only to higher taxonomic categories like family (Poaceae) and even type—Plantago major/media (Frenguelli and Kasprzyk 2015)
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