Pollen 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 Enfield (NH) Jersey Plymouth Science Publishers www.scipub.net 234 May Street Post Office Box 699 Enfield, New Hampshire 03748 United States of America General enquiries : [email protected] Editorial enquiries: [email protected] Sales enquiries : [email protected] Published by Science Publishers, Enfield, NH, USA An imprint of Edenbridge Ltd., British Channel Islands Printed in India © 2009 reserved 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 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher, in writing. The exception to this is when a reasonable part of the text is quoted for purpose of book review, abstracting etc. This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise be lent, re-sold, hired out, or otherwise circulated without the publisher’s prior consent in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition including this condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser. 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