Abstract

Study was aimed to investigate the effect of industrial air pollution on pollen morphology of Eucalyptus globulus Labill., belonging to family Myrtaceae. Data revealed that there are differences in pollen morphological characteristics of E. globulus that grows in polluted industrial area in comparing with the pollen of that plant grows in healthy conditions (control area). Eucalyptus pollen grains are flattened triangular- obtuse- convex shape in polar view (the only view that is usually present). Aperture (trizonocolpate- syncolpate), colpi fusing in each apocolpium to cut off an island of exine shaped like a triangle. Sculpture, psilate. The LM and SEM studies revealed that pollen grains of the control area showed normal size, shape and sculpture. While in case of polluted industrial one there is a shrinkage in size, thinning of exine, protrusion elements on the pollen surface, some attached particulate materials on the pollen surface; that may be affected due to air pollution.

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