Pollen rain VIS-À-VIS vegetation relationship in Kikar Tal (Lake), Raebareli district, Uttar Pradesh, Central Ganga Plain

Abstract

Pollen analysis of 10 surface samples from Kikar Tal, Raebareli District reveals the relatively higher frequencies of non-arboreals subduing the arboreals. The consistent records of Syzygium cumini with moderate frequencies among the trees, reflects its frequent presence in the flora. However, majority of the trees, Emblica officinalis, Terminalia, Acacia nilotica, Holoptelea integrifolia, etc. are under-represented, despite their frequent occurrence. Their irregular record in the pollen rain could be attributed to low pollen-productivity since they are entomophillous as well as partial pollen preservation. Trees constitute small fraction av. 12% pollen only and together with av. 3% shrubs they denote av. 15% arboreal pollen. Amongst the non-arboreals, Poaceae exhibits preponderance followed by Cerealia, Cheno/Am, Artemisia, Tubuliflorae, etc. The representation of these taxa corresponds with their composition in the ground flora. Collectively, the non-arboreals encompass a major chunk of av. 85% pollen, depicting the open nature of vegetation. The encounter of Cerealia pollen implies the agrarian practice. The study also furnishes information concerning the prominent pollen/spores in the local milieu, which get deposited on the ground along with rains/dews after emission from the source plants. Their relative abundance assists in ascertaining the specific common pollen/spores in the aerospora relevant to allergic diseases.