Table Of ContentPollen and Spores
Applications with Special Emphasis on
Aerobiology and Allergy
Pollen and Spores
Applications with Special Emphasis on
Aerobiology and Allergy
Shripad N. Agashe
Professor Emeritus in Botany
Bangalore University
Bangalore, India
Eric Caulton
Centre Director
Scottish Centre for Pollen Studies
School of Life Sciences
Napier University, Edinburgh, Scotland
United Kingdom
Science Publishers
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ISBN: 978-1-57808-532-3
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Agashe, Shripad N.
Pollen and spores: applications with special emphasis on
aerobiology and allergy/Shripad N. Agashe, Eric Caulton.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-1-57808-532-3 (hardcover)
1. Palynology. 2. Pollen. 3. Respiratory allergy. I. Caulton,
Eric. II. Title.
QK658.A353 2008
571.8’452--dc22
2008000562
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Foreword
I feel very honoured to be asked to write a foreword to this important book
which will undoubtedly take its place among the classic texts on pollen
studies and aerobiology. The book has the distinct advantage of being
written by two internationally renowned experts who have been able to
draw on a wealth of experience, both from their own countries and also
from their extensive knowledge of numerous countries throughout the world.
The authors’ enthusiasm and excitement for the subject area shine all
through the book.
Previously the study of aspects of pollen and aerobiology by
undergraduate and postgraduate students has been hindered severely by
the fact that published material has been spread over a diverse range of
disciplines including meteorology, ecology, botany, microbiology, allergy
and forensic science. The text makes a major contribution towards
improving this situation and fulfils a long standing need.
This work draws together numerous aspects of pollen studies,
aerobiology and allergy into one accessible and well illustrated treatise.
The comprehensive treatment has not only produced an extremely useful
textbook but it has also resulted in an invaluable source of detailed
references for researchers in the field. The timing of the publication is very
appropriate. It coincides with a period of rapid increase in the number of
courses in aerobiology which are offered in universities and as continuing
professional development, such as in environmental health. This book will
facilitate understanding and appreciation of the subject area whilst
stimulating and inspiring students and researchers alike.
The breadth and depth of the content are particularly notable. The book
achieves a synthesis of classic and traditional areas with newly
developing applications. The early chapters place pollen studies and
aerobiology within their historic contexts and cover the main aspects of
aerobiology, whilst the later chapters deal with more novel applications
and allergy. The authors are to be congratulated on accomplishing a
skilful balance between the various themes presented.
The text meets and surpasses its objectives by providing a wealth of
information within a clear and logical framework, supported by numerous
references to published work for further reading. The breadth of content
makes the book relevant to a wide audience of academics and profession-
als. It will be valued highly in many disciplines.
Professor Jean Emberlin
Director
National Pollen and Aerobiology Research Unit
University of Worcester
WR2 6AJ
UK
Preface
Palynology finds applications in various fields. Some of them are taxonomy,
plant evolution, plant breeding programmes, biotechnology, microbiology
of water, soil and air, the pharmaceutical industry, cosmetic industry,
energy food industry, forensic science, aerobiology, allergy, epidemiology,
meteorology, fossil fuel exploration and biodiversity.
On account of the above-mentioned applications, palynology has gained
a lot of importance and is attracting different scientific disciplines.
Published literature on the above aspects is widely scattered. Moreover
undergraduate and postgraduate students are deprived of having ‘One
window system in palynology’ in other words a textbook giving both the
fundamental and applied information on pollen studies.
In view of the above, it is expected that the present comprehensive book
on pollen studies and their applications will be useful to graduate,
postgraduate and research students, and scientists in various industries
in different countries. The book is also intended to serve as a source of
reference to scientists in the various disciplines mentioned above. In order
to accommodate both fundamental (basic) and applied aspects of pollen
studies, and for easy understanding of the subject matter, the book is
profusely illustrated.
Similar to other plant parts, pollen characters are so varied that the
classification system of plants can be built up entirely on the basis of
pollen morphology. An excellent and thought provoking book ‘Pollen
Grains’ , their structure, identifications and significance in science and
medicine published by R.P. Wodehouse in 1935 and reprinted in 1965, has
been the main source of our inspiration to undertake this task of writing a
comprehensive book concentrating on two important aspects: basic and
applied. Several books and publications are available on the most basic
aspects of pollen; however, applications of pollen though thoroughly
exploited have not been compiled. Hence, the sole purpose of writing this
book is to cover all aspects of pollen studies where our focus is always on
undergraduate and postgraduate students. It is intended to inspire them to
understand basic and applied aspects of pollen studies. Once they are
viii
exposed to these fascinating facts they can pursue any particular aspect
for more detailed investigation.
The book will be also a good source of basic and applied information on
pollen, which can be further exploited by researchers in various fields. It is
up to user agencies to make use of the data in this book for exploiting
respective fields. Pollen is aptly referred by some as GOLDEN DUST,
extremely valuable on account of the golden yellow colour and their
tremendous applications in science, industry and public health. No other
plant part, even though extremely tiny in size is packed with so much
information and power. It appears that honey bees, had realized the
importance and utility of pollen earlier than man.
Any amount of written description will not be able to explain certain
aspects of pollen which can be easily understood by illustrations. In view
of this, the book is profusely illustrated with the primary intention of the
students’ proper understanding of structure, function and applications of
pollen. The illustrations have been redrawn and modified in some cases
from various existing publications. We are thankful to different sources for
illustrations, which have been mentioned in the text wherever possible.
We are especially grateful to Dr. T. S. Nayar, Dr. Cherian Panicker, Dr. K.
Govind , Dr. B. E. Rangaswamy and Dr. M. P. Vidya for providing LM and
SEM photomicrographs of some pollen and fungal spores. The senior
author’s wife Dr. Nirmala and daughter Sandhya were a great support
and strength to us for initiating and completing this project besides
preparing a number of illustrations and helping us in many ways in
preparing the manuscript for this book.
Mr. B. R. Ramamurthy, the artist has redrawn many illustrations used
in this book for which we are thankful. Data for compilation of some
chapters were generated by the senior author during the Department of
Science and Technology (D.S.T.) assisted project hence D.S.T.’s
encouragement is thankfully acknowledged.
We are also thankful to the officials of Bangalore University, the Vice
Chancellor, Registrar and Finance Officer , former colleagues and the Head
of the Department of Botany, Bangalore University for providing the
infrastructure and other facilities required for this project. There are so
many scientists, botanists, clinicians and palynologists whose constant
encouragement and interaction have helped us in completing this work.
We thank all of them.
Several aerobiology research students of the senior author such as Drs.
K. Manjunath, P. Sudha, Shashi Bala Sharma, K. V. Nagalakshamma,
Meenakshi Chatterjee, Jacob Abraham, Soucenadin, Abdul Elfadil,
Elizabeth Philip, H. S. Anuradha, M. P. Vidya, Binni, Mamlakatoi Hyderova,
B. Pramila, have generated a lot of data which have gone into this book for
which their efforts are thankfully acknowledged.
IX
Grateful acknowledgements and thanks are due to the following persons
for their encouragement, support and the provision of facilities for the
work of the Scottish Centre for Pollen Studies, Napier University, Edinburgh,
Professor Charles Bryce, Head of the School of Life Sciences, Miss Marina
Mocogni and Mrs. Kim Kellet, Senior Technicians in the Biology and
Biochemistry Sections respectively, and to David Caulton, son of Dr. Eric
Caulton, Coauthor of this book, for his help with communications and
advice throughout.
If postgraduate students for whom this book is primarily written, benefit
from the palynological information incorporated, we will be really satisfied
with our efforts.
Family members of Professor Shripad N. Agashe, wife Dr. Nirmala,
daughters Sandhya and Swapna, Helen Caulton, wife of Dr. Eric Caulton
and their son David Caulton have been directly or indirectly responsible
for initiating and completing this book and to whom it is dedicated.
Bangalore, India Shripad N. Agashe
Edinburgh, United Kingdom, September 2008 Eric Caulton
