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Keywords = Poaceae pollen

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19 pages, 4056 KiB  
Article
Aerobiological Dynamics and Climatic Sensitivity of Airborne Pollen in Southeastern Türkiye: A Two-Year Assessment from Siirt
by Salih Akpınar
Biology 2025, 14(7), 841; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14070841 - 10 Jul 2025
Viewed by 408
Abstract
This study investigates the composition, abundance, and seasonal variability of airborne pollen in Siirt, a transitional region between the Irano-Turanian and Mediterranean phytogeographical zones in southeastern Türkiye. The main objective was to assess pollen diversity and its relationship with meteorological parameters over a [...] Read more.
This study investigates the composition, abundance, and seasonal variability of airborne pollen in Siirt, a transitional region between the Irano-Turanian and Mediterranean phytogeographical zones in southeastern Türkiye. The main objective was to assess pollen diversity and its relationship with meteorological parameters over a two-year period (2022–2023). Airborne pollen was collected using a Hirst-type volumetric pollen and spore trap; a total of 18,666 pollen grains/m3 belonging to 37 taxa were identified. Of these, 70.67% originated from woody taxa and 29.33% from herbaceous taxa. Peak concentrations occurred in April, with the lowest levels in December. The dominant taxa, all exceeding 1% of the total, were Pinaceae (31.00%); Cupressaceae/Taxaceae (27.79%); Poaceae (18.42%); Moraceae (4.23%); Amaranthaceae (2.42%); Urticaceae (2.13%); Quercus (1.55%); Fabaceae (1.29%); and Rumex (1.02%). Spearman’s correlation analysis revealed significant relationships between daily pollen concentrations and meteorological variables such as temperature, humidity, precipitation, and wind speed. These findings highlight that both climatic conditions and the surrounding vegetation, shaped by regional land cover, play a crucial role in determining pollen dynamics. In conclusion, this study provides the first aerobiological baseline for Siirt and contributes valuable data for allergy-risk forecasting and long-term ecological monitoring in southeastern Türkiye. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Plant Science)
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15 pages, 617 KiB  
Article
The Taxonomic Content of the Spectrum, Seasonality, and Concentrations of Airborne Pollen Grains in Vukovar-Syrmia County (Northeastern Croatia)
by Sanda Rašić, Pavo Lucić, Domagoj Zimmer, Marin Lukačević, Nataša Radojčić, Robert Benković and Edita Štefanić
Sustainability 2025, 17(5), 2130; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17052130 - 1 Mar 2025
Viewed by 965
Abstract
Airborne pollen monitoring in the city of Vukovar (Northeastern Croatia) was carried out using a Hirst-type spore trap, which was placed on the roof of a building at a height of 15 m above ground level. Over 5 consecutive years of airborne pollen [...] Read more.
Airborne pollen monitoring in the city of Vukovar (Northeastern Croatia) was carried out using a Hirst-type spore trap, which was placed on the roof of a building at a height of 15 m above ground level. Over 5 consecutive years of airborne pollen monitoring, 76 pollen types from 45 plant families were identified. Of these, 29 pollen types belonged to arboreal species and 47 to non-arboreal species. Sixty-two percent of the total pollen was non-arboreal pollen. The main pollen types present in the airborne spectrum were Ambrosia artemisiifolia, Betula, Urtica, and Poaceae. Among the arboreal types, the genus Betula is the only taxon producing a high percentage in the pollen spectrum. Regarding allergenicity, A. artemisifolia, Betula, and Poaceae pose the highest allergy risk, while Urtica has a low risk of pollen allergy. Large differences in annual pollen sum and the seasonal dynamics of these dominant taxa during the study period were verified. The presence of the pollen in the air was influenced by weather conditions, showing in particular a positive correlation with the minimum air temperature for Betula and mean air temperature for Urtica, Poaceae, and A. artemisiifolia. However, the pollen concentration in the air was negatively correlated with precipitation for Betula, Urtica, and Poaceae and with humidity for A. artemisiifolia. Full article
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17 pages, 6063 KiB  
Article
Holocene Climatic Changes in the Negev Desert (Israel): Pollen and Stable Isotopes (13C/12C and 15N/14N) Records from Atzmaut and Ramon I Zoogenic Deposits
by Anna Babenko
Quaternary 2024, 7(4), 45; https://doi.org/10.3390/quat7040045 - 17 Oct 2024
Viewed by 1494
Abstract
Two zoogenic deposits from the central part of the Negev Desert (Israel) were investigated by stable isotopes (carbon 13C/12C and nitrogen 15N/14N) and pollen analyses. The merger of these data and results of radiocarbon dating of Atzmaut [...] Read more.
Two zoogenic deposits from the central part of the Negev Desert (Israel) were investigated by stable isotopes (carbon 13C/12C and nitrogen 15N/14N) and pollen analyses. The merger of these data and results of radiocarbon dating of Atzmaut and Ramon I deposits enabled us to reconstruct climate and vegetation changes in the Negev Desert over the past 8500 years. Decrease of the δ13C value in plant remains is a sensitive indicator of paleoclimatic conditions in the region. The decline of the δ13C value over the past 8500 years almost fully coincides with an increase of the total pollen concentration, the proportion of Poaceae pollen in the profile of zoogenic deposits and wetter periods. Thus, four humid periods are identified, from the middle of the 4th millennium to the end of 3rd millennium BC, the 1st half of the 2nd millennium BC, from the 2nd half of the 1st millennium BC to the 1st half of the 1st millennium AD and the middle of the 2nd millennium AD. The δ15N value of plant remains is a less sensitive indicator of climate dynamics and represents the most significant change of precipitation in the region by the end of the 3rd millennium BC. Full article
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15 pages, 5254 KiB  
Article
Comparative Analysis of Grass Pollen Dynamics in Urban and Rural Ireland: Identifying Key Sources and Optimizing Prediction Models
by Moisés Martínez-Bracero, Andrés M. Vélez-Pereira, Emma Markey, Jerry Hourihane Clancy, Roland Sarda-Estève and David J. O’Connor
Atmosphere 2024, 15(10), 1198; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15101198 - 8 Oct 2024
Viewed by 1747
Abstract
The Poaceae family, one of the most diverse and widespread angiosperms, is prevalent in various natural and urban environments and is a major cause of allergies, affecting over 20% of the population in Europe, specifically in Ireland. With extensive grasslands, Ireland supports numerous [...] Read more.
The Poaceae family, one of the most diverse and widespread angiosperms, is prevalent in various natural and urban environments and is a major cause of allergies, affecting over 20% of the population in Europe, specifically in Ireland. With extensive grasslands, Ireland supports numerous grass species, though pollen release varies due to the family’s complexity. The Hirst spore-trap is commonly used to sample airborne pollen, but the area of influence is debated and may differ by pollen type. This study compares grass pollen seasons between rural Carlow and urban Dublin, aiming to create forecast models for airborne pollen and identify key grass areas influencing the main pollen season (MPS). Two Hirst samplers were analyzed, using data up to 2020, and two threshold models (based on Swedish and Danish studies) were tested to find the best fit for Ireland. Airmass footprints were calculated using Hysplit and combined with grassland data to pinpoint major pollen sources. The results showed that Carlow had higher pollen concentrations but shorter seasons than Dublin. The Swedish threshold method was the most accurate for Ireland, with the Wicklow Mountains identified as a significant pollen source. These findings improve the understanding of pollen dynamics and support better public health and allergy management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Atmospheric Bioaerosols: Detection, Characterization and Modelling)
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13 pages, 9239 KiB  
Communication
Phenological Analysis of Grasses (Poaceae) in Comparison with Aerobiological Data in Moscow (Russia)
by Elena E. Severova, Vera S. Karaseva, Yulia M. Selezneva and Svetlana S. Polevova
Plants 2024, 13(17), 2384; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13172384 - 27 Aug 2024
Viewed by 1207
Abstract
Grasses (Poaceae) produce large amounts of pollen and are among the main causes of pollinosis worldwide. Despite their morphological similarity, pollen grains of different grass species may have different allergenicities. Therefore, quantification of the roles of individual species in airborne pollen is an [...] Read more.
Grasses (Poaceae) produce large amounts of pollen and are among the main causes of pollinosis worldwide. Despite their morphological similarity, pollen grains of different grass species may have different allergenicities. Therefore, quantification of the roles of individual species in airborne pollen is an important task. There are very few studies on this topic, and none of them have been conducted in a temperate continental climate. Our study was carried out for three years (2020–2022) in the urban territory of Moscow (Russia) and aimed to understand what grass species contribute the most to the total pollen load of the atmosphere. The comparison of aerobiological and phenological data was based on calculating the phenological index, which is a combination of phenological parameters, pollen productivity of individual species, and their abundance. Our data showed that the decomposition of pollination curves based on the phenological index was sometimes very efficient but not always possible in temperate continental climates. The main reasons for disagreement between aerobiological and phenological data were weather conditions and lawn mowing. Not all grasses were equally important as sources of allergenic pollen. The greatest contribution to the pollen load at the beginning of the season in Moscow was made by Dactylis glomerata, and to a lesser extent by Phleum pratense and Festuca pratensis. These are the most common species, which are widespread throughout Europe. The contribution of minor components is insignificant. Full article
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12 pages, 4550 KiB  
Article
EPAD1 Orthologs Play a Conserved Role in Pollen Exine Patterning
by Huanjun Li, Miaoyuan Hua, Naveed Tariq, Xian Li, Yushi Zhang, Dabing Zhang and Wanqi Liang
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(16), 8914; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25168914 - 16 Aug 2024
Viewed by 1208
Abstract
The pollen wall protects pollen during dispersal and is critical for pollination recognition. In the Poaceae family, the pollen exine stereostructure exhibits a high degree of conservation with similar patterns across species. However, there remains controversy regarding the conservation of key factors involved [...] Read more.
The pollen wall protects pollen during dispersal and is critical for pollination recognition. In the Poaceae family, the pollen exine stereostructure exhibits a high degree of conservation with similar patterns across species. However, there remains controversy regarding the conservation of key factors involved in its formation among various Poaceae species. EPAD1, as a gene specific to the Poaceae family, and its orthologous genes play a conserved role in pollen wall formation in wheat and rice. However, they do not appear to have significant functions in maize. To further confirm the conserved function of EPAD1 in Poaceae, we performed an analysis on four EPAD1 orthologs from two distinct sub-clades within the Poaceae family. The two functional redundant barley EPAD1 genes (HvEPAD1 and HvEPAD2) from the BOP clade, along with the single copy of sorghum (SbEPAD1) and millet (SiEPAD1) from the PACMAD clade were examined. The CRISPR-Cas9-generated mutants all exhibited defects in pollen wall formation, consistent with previous findings on EPAD1 in rice and wheat. Interestingly, in barley, hvepad2 single mutant also showed apical spikelets abortion, aligning with a decreased expression level of HvEPAD1 and HvEPAD2 from the apical to the bottom of the spike. Our finding provides evidence that EPAD1 orthologs contribute to Poaceae specific pollen exine pattern formation via maintaining primexine integrity despite potential variations in copy numbers across different species. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanism of Pollen and Pollen Tube Development)
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28 pages, 15379 KiB  
Article
Vegetation, Climate and Habitability in the Marseille Basin (SE France) circa 1 Ma
by Valérie Andrieu, Pierre Rochette, François Fournier, François Demory, Mary Robles, Odile Peyron, Séverine Fauquette, Eliane Charrat, Pierre Magniez, Belinda Gambin and Samuel Benoît De Coignac
Geosciences 2024, 14(8), 211; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences14080211 - 7 Aug 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2101
Abstract
The environment of the Marseille basin in the Early Pleistocene was reconstructed through a multiproxy study of fluvial tufa deposits. Palaeomagnetic measurements revealed the Jaramillo subchron and dated the tufa to within the 0.8–1.5 Ma interval, probably between 0.9 and1.2 Ma. Sedimentological studies [...] Read more.
The environment of the Marseille basin in the Early Pleistocene was reconstructed through a multiproxy study of fluvial tufa deposits. Palaeomagnetic measurements revealed the Jaramillo subchron and dated the tufa to within the 0.8–1.5 Ma interval, probably between 0.9 and1.2 Ma. Sedimentological studies show varied depositional environments comprising natural dams formed by accumulations of plants promoting the development of upstream water bodies. The very negative δ13C values indicate that the Marseille tufa is not travertine sensu stricto but tufa deposited by local cold-water rivers. Palynological analyses indicate a semi-forested, diverse, mosaic vegetation landscape dominated by a Mediterranean pine and oak forest. Along the streams, the riparian forest was diverse and included Juglans, Castanea, Platanus and Vitis. The potential diet reconstructed from pollen was varied. The most surprising discovery was the presence of proto-cereals, which could potentially enrich the diet with carbohydrates. The identification of spores of coprophilous fungi seems to indicate the presence in situ of large herbivore herds. It is possible that, as in Anatolia, the disturbance of ecosystems by large herbivores was responsible for the genetic mutation of Poaceae and the appearance of proto-cereals. Climatic reconstructions indicate a slightly cooler and wetter climate than the present. Full article
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16 pages, 1302 KiB  
Article
Determination of Atmospheric Pollen Grains by Volumetric Method in Sarıkamış District (Kars-Türkiye)
by Salih Akpınar and Mustafa Kemal Altunoğlu
Biology 2024, 13(7), 475; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology13070475 - 26 Jun 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1831
Abstract
Atmospheric pollen was investigated using the Lanzoni VPSS 2000 (Lanzoni, Bologna- Italy) device for 2 years between 2012 and 2013 in the Sarıkamış district of Kars province, one of the highest regions of Türkiye. A total of 37,909 pollen grains were collected: 15,298 [...] Read more.
Atmospheric pollen was investigated using the Lanzoni VPSS 2000 (Lanzoni, Bologna- Italy) device for 2 years between 2012 and 2013 in the Sarıkamış district of Kars province, one of the highest regions of Türkiye. A total of 37,909 pollen grains were collected: 15,298 pollen grains in 2012 and 22,611 pollen grains in 2013. Out of 43 identified taxa, 21 were arboreal, and 22 were non-arboreal. Pollen from arboreal plants accounted for 36.34% (13,778 pollen grains) of the total, while pollen from non-arboreal plants accounted for 63.56% (24,095 pollen grains). Additionally, 0.10% (36 pollen grains) belonged to unidentified pollen. The most frequent arboreal plant pollen in the Sarıkamış atmosphere were Pinaceae (29.79%), Cupressaceae/Taxaceae (2.54%), and Morus (1.30%). The main non-arboreal plant pollen in the atmosphere of Sarıkamış were Poaceae (44.60%), Artemisia (2.98%), Amaranthaceae (2.79%), Rumex (2.41%), Urticaceae (2.33%), Plantago (2.19%), and Boraginaceae (1.40%). The maximum pollen concentration was observed in June and was associated with the pollination of Pinaceae and Poaceae. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Plant Science)
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21 pages, 5148 KiB  
Article
Relative Pollen Productivity Estimates for Mediterranean Plant Taxa: A New Study Region in Turkey
by Esra Ergin, Laurent Marquer, Florence Mazier, Ugo Bisson and Hasan Nüzhet Dalfes
Land 2024, 13(5), 591; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13050591 - 29 Apr 2024
Viewed by 1595
Abstract
This study estimates relative pollen productivity (RPP) for plant taxa from Southern Anatolia, an important region in the Mediterranean with a long history of human settlements. RPP estimates are required for quantitative pollen-based reconstruction of past land cover modelling. The application of the [...] Read more.
This study estimates relative pollen productivity (RPP) for plant taxa from Southern Anatolia, an important region in the Mediterranean with a long history of human settlements. RPP estimates are required for quantitative pollen-based reconstruction of past land cover modelling. The application of the reconstruction by the REVEALS model in the Mediterranean basin is constrained due to the scarcity of the RPP values specific to the region. To better understand the relationship between vegetation cover and land use in the Mediterranean area, the present study aims to provide a set of RPPs for Turkey and the Mediterranean region. The study area centres around Gölhisar Lake in southwestern Turkey. Modern pollen data are collected from moss pollsters from 21 sites together with vegetation surveys. RPP estimates for the main taxa characteristic of the Mediterranean region are obtained (referenced to evergreen Quercus t.) using the extended R-value (ERV) model through the analysis of modern pollen assemblages. The most reliable results are acquired with the ERV sub-model 2 and Prentice’s taxon-specific method (using a Gaussian plume dispersal model) to distance-weighted vegetation data, corresponding to a Relative Source Area of Pollen (RSAP) value of 102 m. RPPs of dominant taxa in the study area are obtained for Quercus coccifera/Fagaceae (1 ± 0), Juniperus/Cupressaceae (0.279 ± 0.001), Fabaceae (0.008 ± 0.000), Pinus/Pinaceae (5.782 ± 0.011), and Poaceae (0.112 ± 0.001) and are comparable with other RPPs obtained in the Mediterranean region. Full article
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17 pages, 5544 KiB  
Article
Human Impacts on Holocene Vegetation and Wetland Degradation in the Lower Pearl River, Southern China
by Yaze Zhang, Yanwei Zheng, Qinghua Gong, Shuqing Fu, Cong Chen, Yongjie Tang, Xiao Zhang, Qiuchi Wan, Kangyou Huang and Zhuo Zheng
Land 2024, 13(4), 530; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13040530 - 16 Apr 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3580
Abstract
Reconstructing Holocene vegetation history and human impact on vegetation is critical for understanding past interactions between humans and nature. This study concentrates on the lower West River area in Southern China, offering high-resolution reconstructions of vegetation changes over the last 9000 years. Our [...] Read more.
Reconstructing Holocene vegetation history and human impact on vegetation is critical for understanding past interactions between humans and nature. This study concentrates on the lower West River area in Southern China, offering high-resolution reconstructions of vegetation changes over the last 9000 years. Our findings reveal that during the Holocene Climatic Optimum (9–5 ka BP), the area was predominantly covered by dense evergreen broad-leaved forests. Around 5.1 ka BP, the emergence of marsh forests, as evidenced by abundant pollen of Glyptostrobus and in situ buried woods and roots, indicated a transition towards a wetland ecosystem. Notably, a thriving wetland environment and high production of peat deposits dating from 4.3 ka to 2.5 ka BP reflect the continuous drop of lake levels and the formation of swamps driven by a climatic pattern marked by decreased precipitation, potentially linked to a reduction in summer monsoon intensity during the latter part of the Holocene. This period of wetland expansion also coincides with the earliest evidence of rice cultivation in Southern China, suggesting a relationship between agricultural development and regional landscape changes. Additionally, millennial-scale paleo-megafloods are not only identified by lithological features but also by pollen taxa and principal component analysis. Despite the temporary disruptions of the marsh forest, it demonstrated resilience, quickly recovering within decades. By approximately 2.5 ka BP, a significant increase in rice-type Poaceae pollen and Pteridophyte spores, alongside the sharp decline of Glyptostrobus and a decrease in arboreal taxa, were observed. This shift in pollen spectra, coupled with a PC1 curve of principal component analysis, points to intensified human activity as a primary driver behind the collapse of the local wetland ecosystem. These findings align with regional evidence from the Pearl River Delta and coastal Southern China, highlighting extensive human intervention in natural forests and the onset of large-scale agriculture post-2.5 ka BP. Full article
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11 pages, 2474 KiB  
Article
Characterization of the Pollen Trapped by Populus L. Seeds during the Dispersion Season
by Helena Ribeiro, Paula Castro and Ilda Abreu
Aerobiology 2024, 2(1), 18-28; https://doi.org/10.3390/aerobiology2010002 - 7 Feb 2024
Viewed by 1646
Abstract
Our study aimed to quantify the pollen trapped by the seeds and relate it with the airborne pollen concentrations. Individual Populus spp. tuft-like seeds were sampled while suspended twice a day in 2017 and 2018 during the seed dispersal season. The seeds were [...] Read more.
Our study aimed to quantify the pollen trapped by the seeds and relate it with the airborne pollen concentrations. Individual Populus spp. tuft-like seeds were sampled while suspended twice a day in 2017 and 2018 during the seed dispersal season. The seeds were submitted to laboratory treatment for pollen extraction, which was quantified using an optical microscope. Airborne pollen was monitored using a seven-day Hirst-type volumetric spore sampler. A correlation analysis was performed between the airborne pollen, the pollen on the seeds, and the meteorological parameters. A total of 26 pollen grains/mg was counted in the airborne tuft-like seeds, with 26 different taxa being identified, compared with the 18 pollen taxa identified in the airborne samples. Quercus, Poaceae, Urticaceae, Pinus, and Platanus were the most frequent pollen found on the seeds, while in the atmosphere, pollen from Urticaceae, Quercus, and Cupressaceae were the most representative. A tendency of higher pollen concentrations found in the afternoon samples, both airborne and on the seeds, was observed. Correlations between the meteorological parameters and pollen concentration found airborne and in the seeds were overall not significant. Thus, airborne poplar tuft-like seeds can trap and transport pollen, most of which has been recognized to induce respiratory allergies. Full article
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26 pages, 18228 KiB  
Article
Pollen Development and Stainability in Vicia faba L. and Lupinus angustifolius L.
by Wiktor Skrzypkowski, Renata Galek, Adela Adamus and Agnieszka Kiełkowska
Agriculture 2023, 13(11), 2065; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13112065 - 27 Oct 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3559
Abstract
Commercially, leguminous crops (Fabaceae) are the second most important group of cultivated plants, just after grasses (Poaceae). This study focuses on the analysis of pollen development and stainability in two species belonging to the Fabaceae family: Vicia faba L. [...] Read more.
Commercially, leguminous crops (Fabaceae) are the second most important group of cultivated plants, just after grasses (Poaceae). This study focuses on the analysis of pollen development and stainability in two species belonging to the Fabaceae family: Vicia faba L. and Lupinus angustifolius L. Morphological analysis of the anthers at various stages of flower development allowed us to trace the processes of microsporogenesis and microgametogenesis. Nine different cell staining protocols with diverse mechanisms of action, including acetocarmine, Alexander’s dye, aniline blue in lactophenol, Calcein AM, FDA, MTT, TTC, Lugol’s iodine, and aceto-orcein, were tested for their suitability in assessing the viability of microspores as well as pollen grains in both species. Among the applied dyes, four allowed for the discrimination between viable and nonviable microspores in V. faba, and six dyes allowed for this in L. angustifolius. For mature pollen grains, all dyes enabled differentiation between viable and nonviable cells in both species. The highest viability indications for V. faba microspores were obtained with acetocarmine (94.6%), while for mature pollen, aniline blue in lactophenol, MTT, and aceto-orcein yielded the highest viability indications (90.8–96.3%). In L. angustifolius, the highest percentages of viable microspores (64.9–66.5%) were obtained with the acetocarmine, aniline blue in lactophenol, and TTC dyes. For mature pollen, the highest viability indications (83.4%–92.9%) were obtained with acetocarmine, aniline blue in lactophenol, Lugol’s iodine, and aceto-orcein. The viability of V. faba pollen grains in an in vitro germination test showed that the highest pollen germination (61.3%) was observed on the BK medium (rich in minerals with 10% sucrose). In L. angustifolius, the highest pollen germination was observed on the media containing boric acid and 5% sucrose (70.5%) and on the medium containing 10% sucrose only (74.2%). Full article
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29 pages, 13029 KiB  
Article
A Continuous Centennial Late Glacial-Early Holocene (15–10 cal kyr BP) Palynological Record from the Iberian Pyrenees and Regional Comparisons
by Valentí Rull, Arnau Blasco, Miguel Ángel Calero, Maarten Blaauw and Teresa Vegas-Vilarrúbia
Plants 2023, 12(20), 3644; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12203644 - 22 Oct 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2612
Abstract
This paper presents the first continuous (gap-free) Late Glacial-Early Holocene (LGEH) pollen record for the Iberian Pyrenees resolved at centennial resolution. The main aims are (i) to provide a standard chronostratigraphic correlation framework, (ii) to unravel the relationships between vegetation shifts, climatic changes [...] Read more.
This paper presents the first continuous (gap-free) Late Glacial-Early Holocene (LGEH) pollen record for the Iberian Pyrenees resolved at centennial resolution. The main aims are (i) to provide a standard chronostratigraphic correlation framework, (ii) to unravel the relationships between vegetation shifts, climatic changes and fire, and (iii) to obtain a regional picture of LGEH vegetation for the Pyrenees and the surrounding lowlands. Seven pollen assemblage zones were obtained and correlated with the stadial/interstadial phases of the Greenland ice cores that serve as a global reference. Several well-dated datums were also derived for keystone individual taxa that are useful for correlation purposes. Four vegetation types were identified, two of them corresponding to conifer and deciduous forests (Cf, Df) and two representing open vegetation types (O1, O2) with no modern analogs, dominated by Artemisia-Poaceae and Saxifraga-Cichorioideae, respectively. Forests dominated during interstadial phases (Bølling/Allerød and Early Holocene), whereas O1 dominated during stadials (Oldest Dryas and Younger Dryas), with O2 being important only in the first half of the Younger Dryas. The use of pollen-independent proxies for temperature and moisture allowed the reconstruction of paleoclimatic trends and the responses of the four vegetation types defined. The most relevant observation in this sense was the finding of wet climates during the Younger Dryas, which challenges the traditional view of arid conditions for this phase on the basis of former pollen records. Fire incidence was low until the Early Holocene, when regional fires were exacerbated, probably due to the combination of higher temperatures and forest biomass accumulation. These results are compared with the pollen records available for the whole Pyrenean range and the surrounding lowlands within the framework of elevational, climatic and biogeographical gradients. Some potential future developments are suggested on the basis of the obtained results, with an emphasis on the reconsideration of the LGEH spatiotemporal moisture patterns and the comparison of the Pyrenees with other European ranges from different climatic and biogeographical regions. Full article
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17 pages, 3205 KiB  
Article
Aerobiological Monitoring and Metabarcoding of Grass Pollen
by Anastasia A. Krinitsina, Denis O. Omelchenko, Artem S. Kasianov, Vera S. Karaseva, Yulia M. Selezneva, Olga V. Chesnokova, Vitaly A. Shirobokov, Svetlana V. Polevova and Elena E. Severova
Plants 2023, 12(12), 2351; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12122351 - 17 Jun 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2721
Abstract
Grass pollen is one of the leading causes of pollinosis, affecting 10–30% of the world’s population. The allergenicity of pollen from different Poaceae species is not the same and is estimated from moderate to high. Aerobiological monitoring is a standard method that allows [...] Read more.
Grass pollen is one of the leading causes of pollinosis, affecting 10–30% of the world’s population. The allergenicity of pollen from different Poaceae species is not the same and is estimated from moderate to high. Aerobiological monitoring is a standard method that allows one to track and predict the dynamics of allergen concentration in the air. Poaceae is a stenopalynous family, and thus grass pollen can usually be identified only at the family level with optical microscopy. Molecular methods, in particular the DNA barcoding technique, can be used to conduct a more accurate analysis of aerobiological samples containing the DNA of various plant species. This study aimed to test the possibility of using the ITS1 and ITS2 nuclear loci for determining the presence of grass pollen from air samples via metabarcoding and to compare the analysis results with the results of phenological observations. Based on the high-throughput sequencing data, we analyzed the changes in the composition of aerobiological samples taken in the Moscow and Ryazan regions for three years during the period of active flowering of grasses. Ten genera of the Poaceae family were detected in airborne pollen samples. The representation for most of them for ITS1 and ITS2 barcodes was similar. At the same time, in some samples, the presence of specific genera was characterized by only one sequence: either ITS1 or ITS2. Based on the analysis of the abundance of both barcode reads in the samples, the following order could describe the change with time in the dominant species in the air: Poa, Alopecurus, and Arrhenatherum in early mid-June, Lolium, Bromus, Dactylis, and Briza in mid-late June, Phleum, Elymus in late June to early July, and Calamagrostis in early mid-July. In most samples, the number of taxa found via metabarcoding analysis was higher compared to that in the phenological observations. The semi-quantitative analysis of high-throughput sequencing data well reflects the abundance of only major grass species at the flowering stage. Full article
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15 pages, 5023 KiB  
Article
Status and Trend of the Main Allergenic Pollen Grains and Alternaria Spores in the City of Rome (2003–2019)
by Alessandro Di Menno di Bucchianico, Raffaela Gaddi, Maria Antonia Brighetti, Denise De Franco, Annarosa Miraglia and Alessandro Travaglini
Sustainability 2023, 15(7), 6150; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15076150 - 3 Apr 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1905
Abstract
Today a large part of the European population is exposed to levels of air pollution exceeding the standards recommended by the World Health Organization. Moreover, air pollution and the seasonal emission of allergenic pollen are progressively affecting human health and can cause severe [...] Read more.
Today a large part of the European population is exposed to levels of air pollution exceeding the standards recommended by the World Health Organization. Moreover, air pollution and the seasonal emission of allergenic pollen are progressively affecting human health and can cause severe allergic reactions, particularly when air pollution combines with pollen allergen peaks. Unlike atmospheric pollutants of anthropogenic origin, pollen sources have a pulsating trend that leads to high values in the flowering period and values close to, or equal to, zero in the rest of the year. This aspect makes essential the definition of data coverage standards for the main allergenic taxa. For air quality assessment detailed classification criteria for monitoring stations are defined by international standards, not the same from the European Standards for the Sampling and analysis of airborne pollen grains and fungal spores. This paper describes the status and the air concentration trends of the main allergenic pollen and the Alternaria spore measured in Rome from 2003 to 2019 by the Aerobiological Monitoring Center of Tor Vergata (Rome) and calculated by the Seasonal Kendall test with the open-source OpenAir R package. The analysis was carried out on the daily concentrations of the most widespread allergenic taxa in Italy: Asteraceae, Betulaceae, Corylaceae, Cupressaceae/Taxaceae, Poaceae, Oleaceae, Urticaceae and the Alternaria spores. Full article
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