Effects of acidity on tree pollen germination and tube growth
Several studies have indicated that pollen germination and tube growth are adversely affected by air pollutants. Pollutants may inhibit the function of pollen by reducing the number of pollen grains which germinate, by reducing the maximum length to which the pollen tubes grow, or by interfering with the formation of the generative cell. The paper reports on studies that are attempting to determine the effects acid rain may have on these crucial stages in the life histories of northeastern tree species. The first stage of this work assessed the effects of acidity in the growth medium on in vitro pollen germination for four deciduous forest species common to central New York State, Betula lutea (yellow birch), B. lenta (black birch), Acer saccharum (sugar maple), and Cornus florida (flowering dogwood). Measurements were taken at the end of the growth period to determine the percentage of grains which had germinated, and to estimate the average tube length. To determine the effects of pollen on the growth medium, the pH of the germination drop was measured at the end of the growth period.
- Research Organization:
- Boyce Thompson Institute, Ithaca, NY 14853
- OSTI ID:
- 5812324
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-850612-
- Journal Information:
- Proc., Annu. Meet., Air Pollut. Control Assoc.; (United States), Vol. 1; Conference: Air Pollution Control Association annual meeting and exhibition, Detroit, MI, USA, 16 Jun 1985
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ACID RAIN
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
BIRCHES
CHLOROSIS
MAPLES
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
GERMINATION
LENGTH
NEW YORK
PH VALUE
POLLEN
TUBES
ATMOSPHERIC PRECIPITATIONS
DIMENSIONS
FEDERAL REGION II
GAMETES
GERM CELLS
NORTH AMERICA
PATHOLOGICAL CHANGES
PLANTS
RAIN
TREES
USA
510200* - Environment
Terrestrial- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)
560303 - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology- Plants- (-1987)