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Pollen Sources (pollen + source)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Life Sciences	83%

Selected Abstracts

Nectar and Pollen Sources for Honeybee (Apis cerana cerana Fabr.) in Qinglan Mangrove Area, Hainan Island, China

JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE PLANT BIOLOGY, Issue 11 2006
Yi-Feng Yao
Abstract In the present study, nectar and pollen sources for honeybee (Apis cerana cerana Fabr.) were studied in Qinglan mangrove area, Hainan Island, China, based on microscopic analysis of honey and pollen load (corbicular and gut contents) from honeybees collected in October and November 2004. Qualitative and quantitative melittopalynological analysis of the natural honey sample showed that the honey is of unifloral type with Mimosa pudica L. (Mimosaceae) as the predominant (89.14%) source of nectar and pollen for A. cerana cerana in October. Members of Araceae are an important minor (3%-15%) pollen type, whereas those of Arecaceae are a minor (<3%) pollen type. Pollen grains of Nypa fruticans Wurmb., Rhizophora spp., Excoecaria agallocha L., Lumnitzera spp., Bruguiera spp., Kandelia candel Druce, and Ceriops tagal (Perr.) C. B. Rob. are among the notable mangrove taxa growing in Qinglan mangrove area recorded as minor taxa in the honey. The absolute pollen count (i.e. the number of pollen grains/10 g honey sample) suggests that the honey belongs to Group V (>1 000 000). Pollen analysis from the corbicular and gut contents of A. cerana cerana revealed the highest representation (95.60%) of members of Sonneratia spp. (Sonneratiaceae), followed by Bruguiera spp. (Rhizophoraceae), Euphorbiaceae, Poaceae, Fabaceae, Arecaceae, Araceae, Anacardiaceae, and Rubiaceae. Of these plants, those belonging to Sonneratia plants are the most important nectar and pollen sources for A. cerana cerana and are frequently foraged and pollinated by these bees in November. (Managing editor: Ya-Qin Han) [source]

Pollen source and resource limitation to fruit production in the rare species Eremosparton songoricum (Fabaceae)

NORDIC JOURNAL OF BOTANY, Issue 4 2010
Xiang Shi
Eremosparton songoricum (Litv.) Vass. is a rare, central Asian desert species which shows lower fruit set and seed set (<16%) than most hermaphroditic species. We hypothesized that fruit production was limited by pollen and resources. To evaluate potential fruit abortion due to pollen limitation, supplemental hand-pollination was undertaken, the mating system was investigated and the foraging behavior of pollinators was recorded. To investigate possibile resource limitation, flowers and young pods were artificially removed and fertilization were manipulated. The results showed that under natural pollination, the number of pollen deposited on the stigma greatly exceed the number of ovules per ovary. Mating system experiments showed that the species is self-compatible, but depended on pollinators to set seeds. Supplemental outcross pollination increased fruit set significantly. The most frequent effective pollinator Megachile terminate Morawitz, was observed pollinating many flowers of the same individual plant (74.5±1.3%). These results suggested that fruit production is affected by insufficient outcross pollen rather than by pollen quantity. Removal of 2/3 of the flowers and young pods led to significantly higher fruit set, as did addition of fertilizers (N,P,K: 0.025,0.05,0.013,g, N,P,K: 0.05,0.1,0.025,g) showing that reducing resource acceptors and increasing inorganic resources both helps to improve fruit set. We therefore conclude that reproductive success of E. songoricum is limited by both outcross pollen and available nutrients. [source]

Reproduction in Wild Populations of the Threatened Tree Macadamia tetraphylla: Interpopulation Pollen Enriches Fecundity in a Declining Species

BIOTROPICA, Issue 3 2009
Philip C. Pisanu
ABSTRACT Macadamia tetraphylla is a subtropical rain forest tree from fragmented lowlands in eastern Australia. Owing to habitat loss and fragmentation, this commercially important species is vulnerable to extinction. Breeding system and fecundity were investigated in nine populations incorporating three habitat types (moderately disturbed, highly disturbed, and intact) to determine if seed set, seed weight, and genetic diversity are compromised by disturbance. Breeding success was also tested using pollen donors from distant (30,100 km), local (2,3 km), neighbor (10,20 m), and near-neighbor (< 10 m) sources. Macadamia tetraphylla is weakly self-compatible but incapable of automatic self-pollination. Across populations, seed to flower ratios were always < 0.1 percent in open-pollinated trees and trees from moderately disturbed habitats had the highest fruit production. Outcross pollen produced more seed per raceme than open-pollinated or self-pollination treatments. Seed set and seed weights were positively influenced by pollen source with local pollen and distant pollen effecting more or heavier seeds. Germination rates and genetic diversity did not vary significantly in seedlings from different pollen sources. Results suggest a pollen source from at least a 2 km distance is an optimal outbreeding distance; however, many wild populations do not have conspecifics at optimal distances owing to habitat fragmentation. Highly disturbed populations are producing seed but the longevity of these sites is threatened by weed invasions. We conclude that small populations in degraded habitats that are at risk of being overlooked should not be ignored but should be a focus for restoration efforts as they are a valuable asset for the conservation of M. tetraphylla. [source]

Nectar and Pollen Sources for Honeybee (Apis cerana cerana Fabr.) in Qinglan Mangrove Area, Hainan Island, China

Evaluation of ash pollen sensitization pattern using proteomic approach with individual sera from allergic patients

ALLERGY, Issue 5 2010
P. Poncet
To cite this article: Poncet P, Senechal H, Clement G, Purohit A, Sutra J-P, Desvaux F-X, Wal J-M, Pauli G, Peltre G, Gougeon M-L. Evaluation of ash pollen sensitization pattern using proteomic approach with individual sera from allergic patients. Allergy 2010; 65: 571,580. Abstract Background:, In Europe, sensitization to ash pollen induces pollinosis with cross-reactivities with other pollen sources. The aim of the study was to identify the repertoire of ash pollen allergens and evaluate the extent of the diversity of the IgE response in ash allergic patients. Methods:, The IgE reactivities of 114 ash pollen- and eight grass pollen-sensitized patients were screened by 1D immunoblot (SDS,PAGE) against ash pollen extract. The IgE reactivities of 13 ash pollen- and two grass pollen-sensitized patients were then evaluated in 2D immunoblots. Some IgE- and non-IgE-reactive proteins were identified by mass spectrometry. Results:, In 1D analysis, 86% of sera showed binding to Fra e 1 (18,20 kDa), 23% to Fra e 2 (14 kDa), 3% to Fra e 3 (10 kDa) and 57% to High Molecular Weight allergens (HMW, >30 kDa). Individual analysis of 2D immunoblots showed several IgE-binding protein areas among which three were more often recognized: (i) Fra e 1 comprising, at least, 15 isoforms, (ii) a series of acidic spots (45 kDa), and (iii) Fra e 2, the ash profilin. HMW allergens could be resolved in four areas; two unidentified, one homologous to ,-galactosidase and the other to sugar transport proteins. A malate deshydrogenase and calmodulin were shown to be IgE-binding proteins and 10 non-IgE reactive proteins were identified. Conclusions:, No direct correlation was evidenced between IgE profile and the degree of sensitization even though 2 spectrotypes could be distinguished. Our data contribute to a better delineation of ash pollen allergens and patterns of sensitization. [source]