Several components of the exine (i.e. the outer layer of the pollen wall) show conspicuous autofluorescence in the pollen grain. We describe the autofluorescence properties of pollens from the Mediterranean cypress, lily, turnip and olive (cvs. Picual, Loaime, Cornicabra and Ayrouni). The intensity and pattern of autofluorescence largely varied depending on the species and the hydration stage of pollen. In the case of olive, differences in the level of autofluorescence were detected among the four cultivars analyzed. This technique also allowed further morphological characterization of pollen (e.g. determination of pollen size and shape, and the number and type of apertures, the pattern of the exine, etc), evaluation of pollen integrity, detection of additional components (e.g. the pollen coat) over the surface of the pollen wall, etc. The methods used can be considered non-disruptive and lack of sample preparation. Monitoring pollen autofluorescence could be useful in disciplines like Aerobiology, Plant Taxonomy, and Cell and Molecular Biology.

pp:607-613 Publisher: Formatex Research Center

Peer reviewed