Pollen Number Research Articles

The impact of individual inaccuracy of reciprocal herkogamy on legitimate pollen deposition and seed set in a distylous self‐incompatible herb

Abstract Heterostyly is a floral polymorphism that has been observed in at least 28 different plant families across the globe. Heterostyly is characterized by reciprocal arrangement of the anthers and stigmas and the presence of a heteromorphic self‐incompatibility system, which together have been hypothesized to promote cross pollination and to avoid interference of self‐pollen and the deleterious effects of inbreeding. Recent analyses have shown that the reciprocal positioning of the sexual organs in heterostylous plant species is not always perfect. Inaccuracies in the positioning of styles and anthers within populations are expected to affect both male and female fitness of plants by disturbing pollen uptake and stigmatic deposition by insects. However, at present, little is known about how inaccuracies in the reciprocal positioning of the sexual organs affect stigmatic pollen deposition and subsequent seed set in heterostylous plant species. In this study, we quantified the level of reciprocity in a grassland and forest population of the distylous herb Primula veris and tested the hypothesis that inaccuracies in the positioning of the sexual organs were related to stigmatic deposition of pollen by insects and ultimately seed set in the field. Total inaccuracy in reciprocal positioning of the sexual organs was about four times larger in the forest population than in the grassland population (20.67 and 5.47 respectively). Individual inaccuracies in stigma positioning varied between 0.02 and 67.93 (L‐morph) and 0.03 and 45.34 (S‐morph) in the forest population, and between 0.00 and 13.19 (L‐morph) and 0.00 and 26.15 (S‐morph) in the grassland population. Legitimate pollen deposition decreased significantly with increasing inaccuracy, both in the grassland and forest population, but effects were most pronounced in the forest population. In both populations, short‐styled individuals suffered larger reductions in legitimate pollen deposition with increasing inaccuracies than long‐styled individuals. Seed set was significantly and positively affected by the number of legitimate pollen and decreased significantly with increasing inaccuracy, especially in the forest population where inaccuracies were most pronounced. Synthesis. Overall, these results indicate that deviations from perfect reciprocity significantly affect the reproductive success of heterostylous plants by diminishing legitimate stigmatic pollen deposition and concurrently reducing seed set. As a result of their lower fitness, maladaptive genotypes should be selected against in natural populations, leading to the maintenance of floral polymorphisms in general and the heterostylous syndrome in particular.

Functional androdioecy in the ornamental shrub Osmanthus delavayi (Oleaceae).

Androdioecy is one of the rarest sexual systems among plants, characterized by males co-occurring with hermaphrodites. Osmanthus delavayi (Oleaceae), an ornamental shrub from southern China, is known to have both male and hermaphrodite individuals, but little is known regarding the breeding system of this species and whether it is functionally androdioecious, and how this potentially evolved. In this study, we explore the characteristics of the breeding system of O. delavayi through the study of phenology, sex ratio, floral organ morphology, pollen number, stigma receptivity, artificial pollination, pollinators, and gene flow within and between populations, while also discussing the evolution and maintenance of androdioecy within the genus. The proportion of males was less than 0.5 and the out-crossing index (OCI) was 5. Morphological androdioecy was observed, with hermaphrodite flowers having fertile pistils, while male flowers had degenerated pistils. Males and hermaphrodites both had large amounts of small and fertile pollen grains, although the pollen number of males was ca. 1.21 × more than that of hermaphrodites, and pollen was generally smaller. Self-pollination was found to produce a much lower fruit set than outcrossing under natural conditions. Gene flow between males and hermaphrodites within a population was greater (1.007) than that between populations (0.753). All these results indicate that O. delavayi is functionally androdioecious, which may be an intermediate state in the evolutionary transition from hermaphroditism to dioecy.

Altitudinal variation of floral organs in Saussurea przewalskii and its relationship with the number and mass of seeds

We examined the variation of floral organs of Sausssurea przewalskii along altitude and its relationship with the number and mass of seeds from 12 populations in the northeastern edge of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, China. At the altitude of 3500-4500 m, the filament length, anther length, column length and style branch length were 0.52-1.01, 0.23-0.63, 0.74-1.58, and 0.11-0.22 cm, respectively. All the indices significantly increased with altitude, while the number of pollens (26.5×104-73.5×104) significantly decreased. There was a significant negative correlation between the lengths of filament, style, column branches and pollen numbers, and a significant positive correlation between column length and filament length. The number of seeds was negatively correlated with the lengths of filament, column and style branches, but positively correlated with the number of pollen. The hundred kernals weight was positively correlated with the length of the filament, column and style branches, and negatively correlated with the number of pollen. With the increases of altitude, S. przewalskii extends the length of flower organs to increase the pollen carrying capacity and input of insects in the flowering period, and produces large seeds with more competitive advantage and survival rate in fruiting stage to improve its fitness.

Low soil temperature and drought stress conditions at flowering stage affect physiology and pollen traits of rice

Low temperature and drought stress are the major constraints in rice productivity worldwide. This study investigated the influence of low soil temperature and/or drought stress on physiology and pollen traits of two rice genotypes viz., Guinongzhan and Yueza 763 at flowering stage. The experiment included four treatments, i.e., under the greenhouse natural growth conditions (UC) taken as control, drought stress (DS), the soil water potential was kept at −0.035 to −0.045 MPa (DS), low soil temperature (LT) maintained at 19 to 21°C, combined LT and DS (LT+DS, LD). Results showed that LT, DS, and LD substantially reduced net photosynthetic rate (Pn) and the maximal photochemical efficiency of PSII (Fv/Fm), whilst transpiration rate (Tr) was markedly enhanced by under LT in both rice genotypes. The malondialdehyde (MDA) contents were enhanced under LT, DS, and LD in Guinongzhan, whilst the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT) were regulated by LT, DS, and LD in both rice genotypes. Furthermore, anther dehiscence rate, pollen numbers on stigma, pollen viability and pollen germination rate, and anther starch contents were obviously reduced under LT and DS of both rice genotypes. Stress conditions substantially reduced the yield and yield components, i.e., effective panicles, seed set percentage, grain/panicles, 1000-grain weight, and grain yield of both genotypes and the effects were more apparent in Guinongzhan than those in Yueza 763 whilst combined LT and DS proved more damaging than individual stress.

Multi-point analysis of airborne Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica D. Don) pollen by Pollen Robo and the relationship between pollen count and the severity of symptoms

An important theme related to aerobiology is the spatial distribution of airborne pollen, which is a final goal of our research efforts. In relation to this, pursuing the severity of pollinosis symptoms and problems with airborne pollen and allergens is required. In the past, we simulated the distribution of airborne Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica D. Don) pollen (Kawashima and Takahashi in Grana 34:142–150, 1995, Grana 38:316–324, 1999). The simulation results of recent years will be published in the near future. At the time, it was not possible to compare the results of actual airborne pollen data observed from multiple points at the same time. However, now we can achieve this objective if using C. japonica pollen characteristics. The pollen is dispersed in large quantities over a long distance, remains in the air for a long time, and most airborne pollen at this time is C. japonica pollen. Recently, several automatic C. japonica pollen monitoring systems have been developed and deployed nationwide. Pollen Robo is one and is the most widely installed nationwide. In this study, we addressed Pollen Robo. First, we examined whether Pollen Robo can accurately count C. japonica pollen and found that Pollen Robo was useful during the major pollen season. However, it sometimes counts non-pollen particles and other pollen rather than C. japonica pollen. Therefore, it is not useful when a small amount of pollen is dispersed such as the start day of the pollen season. Next, we examined the daily dispersion of C. japonica pollen and it was shown that it is related to the distance between sampling locations. However, factors other than distance may be involved. Another matter of concern is the relationship between the number of airborne pollen and pollinosis symptoms. Symptoms began to appear from approximately the start day of the pollen season in moderate and light cases. The most serious symptoms occurred when the pollen count was the highest. Meanwhile, in severe cases, symptoms were observed at the time the pollen was scarcely detected and plateaued when the pollen count reached 100 counts/m3 on average over 6 days. Thus, Pollen Robo was not useful when symptoms began in severe cases. This problem was solved using pollen antigen measurement. The time for the symptoms to begin in severe cases is between 2 and 4 weeks before the start day of the pollen season. The amount of Cry j 1 on the start day during some years was considerably larger than that calculated from the number of pollen. The results obtained in this study will be the basic data used for achieving our final goal.

Multiple aspects of the selfing syndrome of the morning glory Ipomoea lacunosa evolved in response to selection: A Qst-Fst comparison.

The frequent transition from outcrossing to selfing in flowering plants is often accompanied by changes in multiple aspects of floral morphology, termed the “selfing syndrome.” While the repeated evolution of these changes suggests a role for natural selection, genetic drift may also be responsible. To determine whether selection or drift shaped different aspects of the pollination syndrome and mating system in the highly selfing morning glory Ipomoea lacunosa, we performed multivariate and univariate Qst‐Fst comparisons using a wide sample of populations of I. lacunosa and its mixed‐mating sister species Ipomoea cordatotriloba. The two species differ in early growth, floral display, inflorescence traits, corolla size, nectar, and pollen number. Our analyses support a role for natural selection driving trait divergence, specifically in corolla size and nectar traits, but not in early growth, display size, inflorescence length, or pollen traits. We also find evidence of selection for reduced herkogamy in I. lacunosa, consistent with selection driving both the transition in mating system and the correlated floral changes. Our research demonstrates that while some aspects of the selfing syndrome evolved in response to selection, others likely evolved due to drift or correlated selection, and the balance between these forces may vary across selfing species.

COMPARATIVE STUDY OF VERMICOMPOST USING PARTHENIUM BIODUNG AND USUAL GREEN BIODUNG

Parthenium hysterophorus has achieved major weed status in India and Australia within past few decades, and within last decade it has become one of the seven most dreaded weeds of the world. The weed reduces the dry matter of crops, sucks the nutrients and starves the crops. Thus considering the great importance of the problem, health hazards, nuisance value, resistive seeds, toxicity of parthenin, and quiet amount of nutrients inside the plant and its easy availability in large quantity, this green Parthenium weed is selected as a special bio-mass in this experiment aimed to degrade the whole plant including seeds biologically to prepare compost and thus recycling organic matter of the weed back to the soil to replenish it and at the same time reducing its toxicity through hot or aerobic composting. Present work was focused on biodegradation of Parthenium bio-mass safely so that the manure does not contain the seeds of Parthenium. Thus considering its easy availability in huge quantity, its immense nutritive potential, its hazardous effects on human being, its nuisance to the agricultural field, its large number of pollens causing pollution of air and allergenic diseases, this obnoxious weed was selected as special organic bio-mass for the preparation of compost. This experiment will prove a great asset to the farmers to use it with other green bio-mass for the preparation of compost without any doubt.

Taxonomic and functional diversity of the co‐flowering community differentially affect Cakile edentula pollination at different spatial scales

Abstract The number of co‐flowering species, floral density and floral trait diversity can be major determinants of pollinator‐mediated plant–plant interactions in a community. However, evaluation of how each one of these co‐flowering components affects the pollination success of a single focal plant species, and how these effects vary at different spatial scales, is lacking. Here, we evaluated the effects of functional diversity (flower morphology and colour), taxonomic diversity (reflecting potential sampling effects) and flower density (conspecific and heterospecific), on the pollinator environment (i.e. visitation rate and pollinator diversity) and pollination success (i.e. pollen load size and number of pollen tubes per style) of Cakile edentula (Brassicaceae). We applied structural equation models (SEMs) at the floral‐neighbourhood (plot level) and community‐wide scales to uncover the factors that mediate co‐flowering community effects on C. edentula pollination success. We found that co‐flowering community effects at the community level are more important than fine‐scale floral‐neighbourhood differences in mediating plant pollination success in our study species. Increasing plant functional diversity decreased pollinator visitation rate but increased the diversity of pollinator functional groups visiting C. edentula flowers. Taxonomic diversity negatively affected pollinator diversity suggesting that other unmeasured floral traits may be relevant or that single‐species effects (sampling effects) may be important. Overall, our results suggest that functional floral trait diversity in a community may be the most important factor influencing pollination success of species in a community. We also found evidence for intra‐ and interspecific pollinator competition mediated by flower density, but none of these effects seemed to have a significant impact on pollination success. This study is an important step towards understanding the complexity of co‐flowering community effects on the pollination success of individual plant species at multiple spatial scales. This study further reveals the potential importance of plant functional diversity in a community in helping predict competitive and facilitative interactions in co‐flowering communities. Synthesis. Floral density and taxonomic and functional co‐flowering diversity are important drivers of pollination success in flowering plants. The effects of the co‐flowering diversity on the pollination success of plant species can largely depend on the spatial scale being studied. Only evaluating the outcomes of pollinator‐mediated plant–plant interactions at multiple stages of the pollination process can lead to a complete understanding of their ecological consequences in nature.

Melissopalynological, physicochemical and antioxidant properties of honey from West Coast of Malaysia

Stingless bees are native to tropical region and produce honey which are high in moisture content. Compared to honey from honeybees, there are limited studies on honey derived from stingless bees. Hence, the aim of this study was to evaluate the chemical composition and antioxidant activities of stingless bee honey. Fifteen types of honey were collected from six states in West Coast of Malaysia and pollen analyses were carried out. Four types of unifloral honey samples produced by stingless bees were selected to determine their physicochemical and antioxidant activities including total phenolic, total flavonoid and ascorbic acid contents. Melissopalynological study of 15 honey samples collected from different states showed presence of both unifloral and multifloral origins. Honey samples collected from Apis mellifera (honeybee) combs had lower number of total pollen compared to samples collected from Heterotrigona itama and Geniotrigona thoracica (stingless bees). Jambul Merak honey contains the highest phenolic and flavonoid contents with greatest color intensity and has the highest antioxidant potential. This study highlights the chemical composition and biological activity of honey from stingless bees which may increase its commercial value or to be utilised as potential functional food ingredient.

Morphological and physiological features of sweet cherry floral organ affecting the potential fruit crop in relation to the rootstock

The research concerning the evaluation of floral organ attributes affecting the potential fruit crop in relation to the rootstock was performed on sweet cherries cultivars – ‘Burlat’, ‘Kordia’ and ‘Regina’. Potential fruit crop was estimated based on the following parameters: number of flowers, percentage of fruit-set and fruit mass. Moreover, morphological (flower biometrics, number of pollen in anther) and physiological features (flower phenology, viability and germination of pollen, sensitivity of flowers to winter frost damage) were assessed. Type of rootstock affected even several-day differences in the beginning of flowering period in particular cultivars. In the research of sweet cherry flowering, the stigma availability coefficient for pollinating insects (based on the sweet cherry flower biometry) was calculated for the first time. The coefficient indicates that flower’s architecture and the optimal anther position relative to the stigma promotes the most effective collection and transfer of pollen on the insect's body. Sweet cherry flowers differed according to pollen efficiency depending on the type of cultivar and rootstock. ‘Kordia’ cultivar was characterized by a small number of pollen grains and its poor viability. Gisela 5 rootstock was highly rated in terms of potential crop, due to the large number of flowers on spur and high percentage of fruit setting. ‘Regina’ cultivar had higher winter frost resistance compared to 'Kordia'.

Study on the Physiological Mechanism of Early Flowering and Low Male Fertility of Limonium bicolor Mutant vrl15

As biennial recretohalophytes, Limonium bicolor plants need 2 years to complete their life cycle. A growth habit mutant Vernalization Requirement Loss 15 (vrl15) was obtained by ion implantation. However, the biological characteristics of the mutant were unclear. In the current study, the related traits of vrl15 and some possible reasons for these traits were examined. Compared with wild type (WT), vrl15 can bolt and flower in approximately four months without vernalization. Moreover, vrl15 needed much less time to bolting and flowering than wild-type L. bicolor under different vernalization treatments. After 20 days’ vernalization, bolting vrl15 plants had 24 rosette leaves and bolting WT had 31 rosette leaves. Moreover, the pollen number per anther, the proportion of active pollen, the seed setting rate and the 1000 seed weight of vrl15 were all lower than those of WT. The soluble sugar content and soluble protein content in leaves of the vrl15 were much higher than those of WT sowed at the same time. In addition, the GA content in the leaves of bolting vrl15 was higher than that of the non-bolting WT sowed at the same time and non-bolting vrl15, whereas the contents of ABA and BR were much lower than that of the non-bolting WT. These results indicate that to some extent the increase of GA and decrease of ABA and BR content may be involved in the growth habit and male fertility alteration of mutant vrl15 of L. bicolor.

Pollen foraging behaviour of honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) in southern West Bengal, India

Pollen loads of Apis mellifera were analysed to assess their daily pollen collection, polleniferous flora and their pollen biomass contribution in southern West Bengal, India. After that, the pollen host selection and pollen foraging activity of the bee species were also determined. The average daily harvest of pollen loads per honey bee colony was 8.5 g to 127.2 g. The pollen flow through the colonies was the highest during spring, followed by winter and summer, whereas during the monsoon it was the lowest. The weight of a single pollen load ranged from 3.22 mg to 11.73 mg and greatly varied within each season, but seasonal average values do not statistically differ. Families that contributed major amount of biomass were Arecaceae, Myrtaceae, Brassicaceae, Fabaceae, Pedaliaceae and Apiaceae. Taxa providing large amounts of biomass were Brassica nigra, Eucalyptus globulus, Borassus flabellifer, Sesamum indicum, Acacia auriculiformis, Coriandrum sativum, Cocos nucifera, Phoenix sylvestris and Mikania scandens (Asteraceae). As the bee species foraged on 26.32% (80 plant taxa) of the local angiosperm flora, the broad polylecty category was inferred. The pollen host selection by the bee species significantly depends on the flower availability index (FAi) and pollen availability index (PAi) rather than on an individual flower’s pollen quality (in term of pollen morphological characteristics and crude protein content) and pollen quantity (number of pollen grains/flower and amount of pollen biomass/flower). The pollen foraging activity of the bee species varied according to time as well as season. The activity was higher between 9.00 and 10.00 am. Seasonally, the highest activity was observed in spring and the lowest during the monsoon. Furthermore, the ratio of pollen foragers to total incoming foragers also varied according to the time of day as well as the season, and was largely dependent of resource availability.

Multi-proxy evidence for paleoclimate evolution performed on a paleolake sediment core in the East Asian Monsoon Region

A sediment succession from a paleolake in the Hangjiahu Plain, Southeast China, covering the period 11.4–5.0 cal ka BP was studied using grain size, total organic carbon (TOC), organic carbon isotope (δ13Corg), C/N ratio, pollen, carbonate and its carbon and oxygen isotopes (δ18Ocarb and δ13Ccarb) analysis to reconstruct climate changes. The methods of redundancy analysis (RDA) ordination and correlation analysis (CA) were employed to quantify the influence of geochemical indexes on the biological index (the pollen) and to explain the environmental significance of each proxy more scientifically and accurately, so as to provide more reliable indication for the reconstruction of the paleoclimate. The reconstruction, supported by the AMS 14C age modelling, indicates climatic evolution during the Early–Middle Holocene period, at least, experienced four stages: (1) a period of gradual warm and humid during the early Holocene (11.4–8.7 cal ka BP). (2) A middle continuous cold–dry stage (8.7–8.0 cal ka BP), precipitation and temperature declined revealed by the proxies. (3) 8.0–6.6 cal ka BP, which was the wettest and warmest stages in the climate change sequence, precipitation, and temperature increased markedly, and this stage was consistent with the Holocene Climate Optimum. (4) A cold–dry period during the middle Holocene (6.6–5.0 cal ka BP), and particularly worth mentioning was that a large number of Oryza pollens were found which indicated the rice-based agriculture developed. In particular, the Liangzhu Culture in this region appeared at this time.

Condiciones poblacionales y alimenticias de colonias de abejas melíferas (Apis mellifera) en tres regiones del altiplano semiárido de México

Se estimó la población de abejas, áreas con cría, miel y polen en 150 colonias de abejas melíferas (Apis mellifera) establecidas en las regiones semiseca templada, subhúmeda templada y semiseca semicálida de Zacatecas, México, durante las épocas de primavera y otoño. Las colonias de la región semiseca semicálida tuvieron significativamente más abejas y cría en otoño que las colonias de las otras regiones (P<0.001). En primavera, la población de abejas en las colonias de las regiones semiseca templada y semiseca semicálida fue similar, y significativamente mayor que en la región subhúmeda templada (P<0.01). Se registró menos miel y más polen almacenados en otoño en colonias de la región semiseca semicálida que en las otras regiones (P<0.001). En primavera, el área de polen almacenado en colonias de la región semiseca templada fue significativamente mayor que en las otras regiones (P<0.0001). La población de abejas y áreas de cría de las colonias en otoño, se correlacionaron positivamente con la población de abejas, áreas de cría y miel de la primavera (P<0.001). En otoño, la región semiseca semicálida tuvo mejores condiciones para el desarrollo y reproducción de colonias que las otras regiones. Sin embargo, el tamaño poblacional de las colonias estudiadas (21,000 a 35,000 abejas/colmena) no es considerado óptimo (>50,000), por lo que se sugiere que previo a floraciones se implementen estrategias tendientes a incrementar la población y reservas de alimento que contribuyan a la sobrevivencia de las colonias en el invierno y a mejorar su productividad.

Functional Characterization of microRNA171 Family in Tomato.

Deeply conserved plant microRNAs (miRNAs) function as pivotal regulators of development. Nevertheless, in the model crop Solanum lycopersicum (tomato) several conserved miRNAs are still poorly annotated and knowledge about their functions is lacking. Here, the tomato miR171 family was functionally analyzed. We found that the tomato genome contains at least 11 SlMIR171 genes that are differentially expressed along tomato development. Downregulation of sly-miR171 in tomato was successfully achieved by transgenic expression of a short tandem target mimic construct (STTM171). Consequently, sly-miR171-targeted mRNAs were upregulated in the silenced plants. Target upregulation was associated with irregular compound leaf development and an increase in the number of axillary branches. A prominent phenotype of STTM171 expressing plants was their male sterility due to a production of a low number of malformed and nonviable pollen. We showed that sly-miR171 was expressed in anthers along microsporogenesis and significantly silenced upon STTM171 expression. Sly-miR171-silenced anthers showed delayed tapetum ontogenesis and reduced callose deposition around the tetrads, both of which together or separately can impair pollen development. Collectively, our results show that sly-miR171 is involved in the regulation of anther development as well as shoot branching and compound leaf morphogenesis.

Importance of anther dehiscence for low-temperature tolerance in rice at the young microspore and flowering stages

Low temperature, particularly during the reproductive stage in rice (Oryza sativa L.), leads to reduced fertility and yield and is a major constraint faced in temperate rice ecology. The floral trait anther dehiscence length has not been quantified in relation to low-temperature tolerance in rice. Two controlled-temperature glasshouse experiments evaluated 120 genotypes from BC1F6 recombinant inbred lines when exposed to low air temperature at the booting (young microspore) and flowering stages. Genotypic differences existed for spikelet sterility (SS) after low-temperature exposure at booting and flowering stages, and a significant positive correlation (R2=0.22**) was found between SS of individual genotypes at booting and flowering stages. Number of dehisced anthers had the highest correlation with SS, and accounted for 58% and 44% of variation in SS with exposure to low temperature at booting and flowering, respectively. Anther dehiscence length and number of dehisced anthers were highly correlated (r=0.90**). After low-temperature exposure at booting, pollen number in the anther as well as the pollen’s capacity to germinate effectively further differentiated low-temperature-tolerant and -susceptible genotypes. Positive relationships (r=0.56** and 0.46*) between SS in the glasshouse and in field experiments in 2015 and 2016 seasons, respectively, provided validation of the phenotypic glasshouse screening methods utilised for low-temperature tolerance in relation to target production environments. This repeatable phenotyping system in combination with improved understanding of underlying floral traits will lead to increased efficiency in breeding for low-temperature tolerance in rice.

LONG-TERM RESULTS OF AIRBORNE POLLEN SURVEYS IN THE JAPANESE ARCHIPELAGO FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF POLLEN ANTIGEN

In 1986, the Ministry of Health and Welfare started an airborne pollen survey as part of measures against JC pollinosis. We reported the important tree pollen antigens in 2016. We have now estimated the longitudinal investigated results for successful prevention and treatment for allergic symptoms related to grass and weed pollen in Japan. Since July 1986 we have monitored airborne pollen, year- round, using a gravitational pollen sampler (Durham's sampler), at more than 20 locations across Japan. Specimens were mailed to our facility, where they were stained with Calberla solution, counted under an optical microscope, and converted to the number of pollen per square centimeter. For convenience the number of collected pollen were compiled every six months, with the January to June samples classified as spring pollen and the July to December as autumn pollen even same family. Total pollen counts at each location were extremely small compared to tree-pollen, averaging 73~650 pollen grains per year. The Sagamihara location had the greatest count. Unlike cedar and cypress there were no significant annual fluctuations, but grass and Ambrosia pollen counts are increasing in some regions. Spring grass pollen gave the largest count, at 30% of the total collected. This indicated we need to examine the rinoconjuctivitis and oral allergy syndrome related to herbaceous pollen carefully.The importance of airborne pollen surveys for the treatment of the patients with pollen allergies was suggested.

Adana Ekolojik Koşullarında Yetiştirilen Bazı Pikan Cevizi Çeşitlerinde Çiçeklenme Zamanları ve Çiçek Tozu Özelliklerinin Belirlenmesi

Bu çalışmada çiçeklenme açısından monoik bitki özelliği gösteren pikan cevizinde, Adana ekolojik koşullarında dişi ve erkek çiçeklerin fonksiyonel olma zamanlarının belirlenmesi ve çiçek tozu canlılık düzeyleri, normal gelişmiş çiçek tozu oranları ve çiçek tozu üretim miktarlarının saptanması amaçlanmıştır. Çalışmada Coctaw, Comanche, Harris Super, Hastings, İdeal, Mahan, Royal, Shawnee, Texhan, Western ve Wichita olmak üzere 11 pikan cevizi çeşidi kullanılmıştır. Çiçeklenme zamanı yönünden denemeye alınan çeşitlerde homogami, protandri, kısmi protandri ve kısmi protogini özellikleri görülmüştür. Erkek ve dişi çiçeklerde çiçeklenme zamanları 2016 yılında 3-20 Mayıs, 2017 yılında ise 30 Nisan-18 Mayıs tarihleri arasında gerçekleşmiştir. Çiçek tozu canlılık değerleri tüm çeşitlerde oldukça yüksek düzeylerde bulunmuş, ancak 2017 yılında 2016 yılına göre biraz daha düşük düzeylerde olduğu belirlenmiştir. Çiçek tozu canlılık değerlerinin her iki yılda da en düşük Hastings çeşidinden (%60,0 ve %61,6), en yüksek ise 2016 yılında Shawnee (%89,1) ve 2017 yılında Mahan (%87,7) çeşitlerinden elde edildiği saptanmıştır. Tüm çeşitler için normal gelişmiş çiçek tozu oranları yeterli bulunmuş olup, söz konusu değerlerin 2016 yılında %92,30 ile %98,42 arasında, 2017 yılında ise %90,20 ile %97,24 arasında değişim gösterdiği belirlenmiştir. Çiçek tozu üretim miktarları bakımından ise çeşitlere göre önemli düzeyde farklılıklar bulunmuştur. Bir salkımdaki çiçek tozu sayısı 2016 yılında 3.512.382 ile 11.097.407 adet arasında, 2017 yılında ise 6.101.233 ile 14.958.453 adet arasında değişmiştir.

Microlithic, faunal, floral and isotopic data from an archaeological site 14C dated to LGM in the eastern state of Odisha, India

The eastern state of Odisha, India is well known for its rich microlithic assemblages; over 400 sites have been reported, including some with tools for heavy-duty tasks. However, due to the lack of associated vertebrate fossils from stratified horizons and absolute dates, their antiquity and associated environments are yet to be established. We report here, for the first time, in situ fossils of a ruminant 14C dated to 17,875 cal BP associated with microliths from a stratified Quaternary sequence exposed at Pratappur, District Mayurbhanj, Odisha. The dental remains of ruminants are taxonomically identified to be those of the cervid Rusa unicolor (sambar) and an unidentified bovid. Stable carbon and oxygen isotope values (δ13C = 1.9‰; δ18O = −1.83‰, VPDB) on the Rusa unicolor tooth reveal that it was a C4 grazer and lived in an arid environment during the end of the Last Glacial Maximum. However, the bovid-yielding carbonaceous sediments that lie immediately above the R. unicolor horizon have yielded a large number of pollen and spores, belonging to moist deciduous forest suggesting moderate rainfall. Pollens belong to brackish mangrove Nypa and Barringtonia indicating tidal influence and the existence of a coastal environment nearby.

POLLEN ANALYSIS OF THE HONEY FROM SOUTH ANATOLIA

For pollen analysis, 19 honey samples were collected from different localities in Ereğli, Karapınar, Ayrancı and Ulukışla regions of Konya, Karaman and Ulukışla, respectively, in November 2015. All investigated honey samples were multifloral because they contained secondary and minor pollen groups. The dominant group of pollen grains were determined as the families of Fabaceae in 2 samples and Scrophulariaceae in 5 other samples, Helianthus annuus in 1 sample and Zea mays in 1 sample. Secondary pollen groups consisted of the families of Amaranthaceae, Brassicaceae, Fabaceae, Poaceae, Rosaceae, Scrophulariaceae and genera of Centaurea, Cistus, Eucalyptus and Linaria. Pollen of 55 plant taxa were identified in examined honey samples of which 21 were classified on the family level, 30 were on the genera level, 1 was on the tribe level and 3 were on the species level. The total number of pollen (TPN-10) in 10 grams of honey ranged from 332 to 42496. According to the results of the TPN-10 analysis in honey samples, 3 samples were normal and others were poor. The taxa of Zea mays, Cistus, Poaceae, Scrophulariaceae and Amaranthaceae were found in pollen sources. Helianthus annuus and Brassicaceae were found in nectar sources. Fabaceae, Rosaceae, Eucalyptus, Centaurea were found in nectar and pollen sources and were identified in the honey.