Air pollution effects on Datura innoxia mill. pollen structure, protein and germination

Abstract

Plants have been exposed to the urban environment for many years, and in response to air pollution, they have adopted selective and adaptive changes. In this study, we examined Datura pollen deposition on the stigma for germination and also assessed the viability of the pollen along with its element and protein content. According to the hypothesis that pollen physiology is negatively impacted by air pollutants, we expected a highly polluted area to have a high degree of pollen abortion with low amount of total protein content with accumulation of different elements because the high amount of particulate pollutants deposited on pollen should alter its physiology. We found that pollen viability at all three different locations is significantly similar, while pollen germination is significantly affected by pollution in Amravati City. The protein content in pollen and its shape is also affected. Correlation analysis reveals the interrelationship between pollen viability, germination, elements and protein content with respect to the polluted area. Principal component analysis was used to determine pollen characteristics contributing to discriminate at the three locations studied. Results revealed that Datura is adaptive in nature. Further study is needed to evaluate the adaptive evolution of Datura with respect to pollen tube sensitivity and tolerance to environmental pollution.