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The Study Of Airborne Pollen And Spores Circulating At “Head Level” In Nsukka Environment


COC Agwu
RC Njokuocha
O Mezue

Abstract

The quantitative air spora investigation at “head” level in the dry season (November-February) revealed a substantial presence of pollen grains, fungal spores and such other component as fern spores, diatom frustules and plant debris. The trapped pollen grains are representative of trees, shrubs, weeds/herbs and grasses of both indigenous and introduced species. Trees and grasses (Poaceae) contributed 49.07% and 30.91% of total pollen, respectively. The qualitative pollen record indicates that more species of entomophilous plants were dominant in the pollen count, whereas pollen grains of anemophilous plants were found to predominate quantitatively. The most frequent and abundant pollen types include those of Poaceae (grasses), Elaeis guineensis, Casuarina equisetifolia, Alchornea cordifolia, Milicia excelsa, and Amaranthaceae / Chenopodiaceae. Fungal spores were found to dominate the entire component of the airborne spora counted. The most common fungal spores encountered include those of Cladosporium, Ustilago, Nigrospora, Drechslera /Helminthosporium and Pithomyces.

Bio-Research Vol.2(2) 2004: 7-14

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eISSN: 2705-3822
print ISSN: 1596-7409