Pollen grain viability in Parietaria judaica L. during the long blooming period and correlation with meteorological conditions and allergic diseases |
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| Authors: | Gian Gabriele Franchi Ettore Pacini Paola Rottoli |
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| Institution: | 1. Dipartimento Farmaco-chimico-tecnologico , dell'Università di Siena, Sezione Botanica Farmaceutica;2. Dipartimento di Biologia , Ambientale dell'Università di Siena, Sezione Botanica;3. Istituto di Malattie dell'Apparato respiratorio dell'Università di Siena |
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| Abstract: | Abstract Pollen grain viability and starch presence in pollen were followed during the long blooming period (May-November) of Parietaria judaica, the most widespread pellitory in Italy, responsible for many cases of allergic diseases. Observations were carried out near Siena (Tuscany), in the years 1978 and 1979. Viability is high in late spring and early autumn, and pollen grains are starchy. The presence of starchless grains is always related to low viability: a production of pollen with a low viability occurs at the beginning and end of blooming, and also in summer, during drought periods. Pollen grain viability varies widely during the blooming period, and its variations are correlated to meteorological conditions, mainly rainfall and temperature. Allergic diseases due to pellitory, however, are mainly reported between April and July, and on the other hand a small amount of patients states that they suffer all the year round. The discrepancies between the periods of viable pollen production and of declared symptoms by patients, are discussed. |
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| Keywords: | Parietaria judaica allergy meteorology pollen viability pellitory |
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