Authors : Sapna V. Awachat
Page Nos : 96-100
Description :
Abstract:
Dicots are the diverse group of plants on the basis of morphology, anatomy, cytogenetics, embryology and pollen morphology. Pollen diversity is the study of the variations in the morphology of pollen grains. Pollen has also proved to be an excellent tool in taxonomic studies. The application of pollen characters in solving controversial taxonomical and phylogenetic problems has now been widely recognized all over the world (Mandal, 2010). In the present paper, pollen diversity of several taxa belonging to Bicarpellatae (Apocynaceae, Asclepiadaceae, Boraginaceae, Convolvulaceae, Solanaceae, Scrophulariaceae, Acanthaceae, Thunbergiaceae, Verbenaceae, Lamiaceae, etc.) from Nagpur is selected. The pollen grains show variations with respect to exine ornamentation, aperture type, shape, size and NPC (number, position, character) classification etc. The pollen slides were prepared by using acetolysis method (Erdtman 1952) and documentation was done by using light microscope and digital camera. The pollen grain studies show variation in exine ornamentation (psilate to verrucate), aperture (porate to spiraperturate), shape (oblate to prolate) and size (small to large). The pollens described on the basis of NPC classification are presented. Pollen calendar and distribution was also noted in all taxa. It is found that the pollen grains with relative variations in pollen morphology help us to differentiate families.
Keywords: Bicarpellatae, Pollen grains, Acetolysis.
