A brief method for analyzing Rotorod® samples for pollen content

Analyzing Rotorod^® pollen samples can be time consuming when one uses the standard method of evaluating an entire collector rod. This present investigation explored an abbreviated analysis method which is indicated by Poisson statistical theory. The authors systematically analyzed 18 Rotorod pollen samples from Spring 1994 which contained 408–7394 pollen grains per rod. The atmospheric pollen concentration (pollen grains/m³) was calculated from the number of pollen grains contained on the entire rod surface (P_total) and a sub-area containing at least 400 grains (P_>400). The estimate of the atmospheric pollen concentration resulting from P_total and P_>400 for each rod did not vary by more than ±9% (mean, 2.0%±3.7). These data indicate that pollen grains populated the sample rods rather uniformly, suggesting a mode of random recovery from the atmosphere. This study's results are consistent with the expectations concerning a Poisson process and support analyzing collector rods until a threshold number of pollen grains is counted.     

The results of 2-year pollen monitoring of an urban network in Perugia,Central Italy

Continuous pollen monitoring of an urban network consisting of three stations has been undertaken for a period of 2 years in Perugia, central Italy. The aim has been to establish whether the Perugia pollen trap, active since 1983, is still representative of the area following recent urbanisation. Quantitative differences were found between the stations, reflecting different vegetational areas, but only slight differences were detected in relation to the timing of the principal period of pollination. Therefore, although individual pollen traps are necessary to characterize fully the different areas, one trap is sufficient to determine the key allergenic thresholds in the studied area.     

川百合花粉管的生殖细胞分裂过程中微管骨架的分布变化

应用透射电镜辅以免疫荧光定位技术研究了川百合 (Lilium davidii Duch.)花粉管中生殖细胞分裂过程中染色体动态和微管分布的关系。在生殖细胞分裂前和有丝分裂前期 ,电镜观察一直未见微管结构 ,但免疫荧光图象显示生殖细胞中有微管蛋白存在。直到分裂的前中期—中期 ,染色体出现 ,它们沿花粉管的长轴前后排列 ,横向的着丝点对相应地一对对地纵向排列。这时 ,生殖细胞中才出现大量微管 ,它们分布于细胞周质区和染色体之间 ,并跨越染色体的整个长度。前中期—中期开始时 ,只有 1～ 2对着丝点从横向转为纵向 ,微管垂直插入着丝点形成着丝点微管 ,而非前人用免疫荧光方法观察到的微管与着丝点侧向联接的图象。随着横向的着丝点对逐渐转变成纵向的过程 ,着丝点微管数量逐渐增多 ,但不形成典型的纺锤体。分裂后期 ,染色体交错分离 ,微管的分布与前中期—中期的基本相同。晚后期 ,染色体呈明显的两群 ,除极区和细胞中央区有微管残余外 ,大部分微管消失。通过染色体长度的测量 ,间接证明了分裂后期 B的存在。分裂末期的晚期 ,核膜形成后 ,在两精核之间的区域 ,微管数量开始增多。此区可能代表用免疫荧光所观察到的微管重叠区。细胞板出现后 ,微管消失     

Anemophilous plants select pollen from their own species from the air

In wind-tunnel experiments, Niklas (1985) has demonstrated the ability of anemophilous plants to select pollen from their own species from the airstream. However, there have been no field experiments to establish whether this operates in nature. We surveyed the pollents on the stigmas of four different, coextensive, dioecious anemophilous species surrounded by a Pinus radiata plantation. The alien pine pollen was overrepresented relative to background levels on only one of the four species. For all three indigenous species with both male and female plants in the area, the highest proportion — in all cases more than 40% — of the pollen found on their stigmas came from their own species. One indigenous species lacked male plants in the area; consequently, the results from this species are difficult to interpret. However, for all four species, there was at least 15% pine pollen, and some pollen of other indigenous species. These results suggest that there is some pollen selection, but that the mechanisms are may be not as effective as Niklas has suggested.     

Some events of mitosis and cytokinesis in the generative cell of Ornithogalum virens L.

The organization of the microtubule (Mt) cytoskeleton during mitosis and cytokinesis of the generative cell (GC) in Ornithogalum virens L. (bicellular pollen type, chromosome number, n = 3) from prophase to telophase/sperm formation was investigated by localization of -tubulin immunofluorescence using a conventional fluorescence microscope and a confocal laser scanning microscope. Chromosomes were visualized with DNA-binding fluorochrome dyes (ethidium bromide and 46-diamino-2-phenyl-indole). The GC of O. virens is characterized by G2/M transition within the pollen grain and not in the pollen tube as occurs in the majority of species with bicellular pollen. It was found that prophase in the GC starts before anthesis and prometaphase takes place after 10 min of pollen germination. The prophase Mts are organized into three prominent bundles, located near the generative nucleus. The number of these Mt bundles is the same as the number of GC chromosomes, a relation which has not previously been considered in other species. The most evident feature in the prophase/ prometaphase transition of O. virens GC is a direct rapid rearrangement of Mt bundles into a network which appears to interact with kinetochores and form a typical prometaphase Mt organization. The metaphase chromosomes are arranged into a conventional equatorial plate, and not in tandem as is thought to be characteristic of GC metaphase. The metaphase spindle consists of kinetochore fibres and a few interzonal fibres which form dispersed poles. Anaphase is characterized by a significant elongation of the mitotic spindle concomitant with the extension of the distance between the opposite poles. At anaphase the diffuse poles converge. Cytokinesis is realized by cell plate formation in the equatorial plane of the GC. The phragmoplast Mts between two future sperm nuclei appear after Mts of the mitotic spindle have disappeared.Abbreviations DAPI 46-diamino-2-phenyl-indole - GC generative cell - GN generative nucleus - Mt microtubule This research was made possible in part due to TEMPUS Programme and Global Network for Cell and Molecular Biology UNESCO grants to Magorzata Bana. The experimental part of the work was done in Siena University. M. Banas is very grateful to Prof. Mauro Cresti and his group for scientific interest, offering the excellent laboratory facilities, and kind reception.     

Immunocytochemical localization of callose in the germinated pollen ofCamellia japonica

Summary A polyclonal antibody against -1,3-glucan, callose, extracted from the pollen tube wall ofCamellia japonica was raised in mice and, using it as a probe, the localization of callose in the germinated pollen was studied. By confocal laser scanning microscopy, callose was found in the tip region of the pollen tube and the tube wall; the immuno-fluorescence in the tube wall was less toward the base of the tube. In contrast, the tip region did not fluoresce although the whole of the tube wall did strongly with aniline blue, the specific dye for callose. Immuno-electron microscopy showed that callose was also found in Golgi vesicles which concentrated in the tip region of the pollen tube, the inner layer of the tube wall, callose plugs, and Golgi vesicles in the pollen grain. Immuno-gold labeling was often detected on the fibrous structures in Golgi vesicles and callose plugs. Based on these results, the participation of Golgi vesicles in the formation of the tube wall and callose plugs was discussed.Abbreviation TBS Tris-buffered saline - Tris Tris(hydroxy-methyl)-aminomethane - PBS phosphate-buffered saline - BSA bovine serum albumin - ELISA enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay - CLSM confocal laser scanning microscopy - DP degree of polymerization     

The actin microfilament network within elongating pollen tubes of the gymnospermPicea abies (Norway spruce)

Summary Actin microfilaments form a dense network within pollen tubes of the gymnosperm Norway spruce (Picea abies). Microfilaments emanate from within the pollen grain and form long, branching arrays passing through the aperture and down the length of the pollen tube to the tip. Pollen tubes are densely packed with large amyloplasts, which are surrounded by branching microfilament bundles. The vegetative nucleus is suspended within the elongating pollen tube within a complex array of microfilaments oriented both parallel to and perpendicular with the growing axis. Microfilament bundles branch out along the nuclear surface, and some filaments terminate on or emanate from the surface. Microfilaments in the pollen tube tip form a 6 m thick, dense, uniform layer beneath the plasma membrane. This layer ensheathes an actin depleted core which contains cytoplasm and organelles, including small amyloplasts, and extends back 36 m from the tip. Behind the core region, the distinct actin layer is absent as microfilaments are present throughout the pollen tube. Organelle zonation is not always maintained in these conifer pollen tubes. Large amyloplasts will fill the pollen tube up to the growing tip, while the distinct layer of microfilaments and cytoplasm beneath the plasma membrane is maintained. The distinctive microfilament arrangement in the pollen tube tips of this conifer is similar to that seen in tip growth in fungi, ferns and mosses, but has not been reported previously in seed plants.     

鹅掌楸属植物的多糖壁前体和花粉管的生长

本文观察描述了中国鹅掌楸（Ｌｉｒｉｏｄｅｎｄｒｏｎｃｈｉｎｅｎｓｅ）和北美鹅掌楸（Ｌ．ｔｕｌｉｐｉｆｅｒａ）花粉在异已柱头萌发和花粉管生长期间多糖壁前体的发生、形态结构和生理功能．１、多糖壁前体在形态上有Ｐ－粒子（Ｐｏｌｙｓａｃｃｈａｒｉｄｅｐａｒｔｉｃｌｅｓ）,被膜小泡（ｃｏａｔｅｄｖｅｓｉｃｌｅ）和小泡（ｖｅｓｉｃｌｅ）三种。２、Ｐ－粒子于单核花粉期已经发生,至花粉管延伸期为发生高峰。多糖壁前体是在高尔基体,内质网和线粒体的相继、连续作用下,由淀粉质体、蛋白体和脂滴降解形成．３、Ｐ－粒子的形态随不同发育时期而变化,早期为成群的电子透明小泡,或为蛋白质束缚的挤压成多面体形,后期为内含颗粒或微纤丝的无被膜粒子或具刺被膜粒子。４、Ｐ－粒子移至管端．或融合或单个通过周质内质网（ＣＥＲ）,释放内容物参与管端壁的形成,被膜小池和小泡移至花粉管次顶端区向质膜外分泌,参与花粉管壁内层的形成,或移至管端,提供膜片。最后讨论了亲和性与超微结构特征的关系．     

辽宁三角洲区域生态经济分区及其功能分析

应用主成分分析和系统聚类分析方法,将辽河三角洲划分为３个生态经济区和８个生态经济小区．通过对反映系统功能的３个表现属性的分析,评价了辽河三角洲农业生态经济系统的功能状况．     

南京紫金山现代植被表土孢粉的初步研究

 选择南京紫金山现代植被进行植被调查和表土孢粉分析。结合中国东部不同气候带下的几个地点表土孢粉分析,把孢粉百分含量、孢粉组合及孢粉优势种、标志种与植被的各项参数进行对比,找出植被与孢粉之间的关系。为恢复古植被、古生态和古气候提供科学依据。