Authors : U. G. BASARKAR
Page Nos : 49-56
Description :
Palynology, the science of pollen obtained real impetus after the discovery of the microscope. This is logical because the pollen grains are extremely tiny particles comparable to dust particles which cannot be seen by the naked eye. Pollen grain come in an infinite variety of shapes with complex surface ornamentation and occurs on almost every surface in nature. Discovery of microscope by Robert Hooke in 1665 was a landmark in the development of science particularly palynology subsequent improvement in microscopy accelerated the study of pollen grains especially finer structure of pollen wall and its varied ornamentation patterns. Light microscopic studies give information on the extreme subsurface morphology and not the extreme surface of pollen grains. In recent years the scope of pollen morphology has widened with advent of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and with regards to unipalynous taxa, particularly the understanding of finer morphology is of fundamental of exine surface and ornamentation pattern of the pollen grains. Now a days study of pollen is an important area of research. Various pollen morphological features such as symmetry, shape, apertural pattern and exine configuration are very conservative features for the taxonomic assessment of the plant. Moreover some plants growing in the surroundings cause respiratory troubles or allergy in human beings. The pollen grains of which are responsible for allergy. The pollen grains are smallest unit of the plants, which contain so many characters of taxonomic and phylogenetic importance. The shape and size of the pollen grains, germinal furrows and the number of germ pores are important taxonomic features, which are taken into consideration in classification of plants. No survey is carried out with respect to pollen morphological studies of species endemic to western ghat (Ramshej fort) Nasik. Therefore this work will be useful for preparation of pollen calendar. By considering immense importance of pollen morphological studies in relation to taxonomy, present work is undertaken for light microscopic studies of pollen grains of some endemic species of western ghat. Total 19 types of pollen grains from different plants collected. Out of these pollen types 2 belonging to Acantheceae , 2 from Apiaceae, Asteraceae, Boraginaceae, and one from Balsaminaceae, Commelinaceae, Convolvulaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Fabaceae, Lamiaceae, Poaceae, Polygalaceae, Rubiaceae, Sterculiaceae, Verbinaceae family respectively.
