The deficiency of pollen grains for ovule fertilization can be the main factor limiting plant reproduction and fitness. Because of the ongoing global changes, such as biodiversity loss and landscape fragmentation, a better knowledge of the prevalence and predictability of pollen limitation is challenging within current ecological research. In our study we used pollen supplementation to evaluate pollen limitation (at the level of seed number and weight) in 22 plant species growing in a wet semi-natural meadow. We investigated the correlation between the pollen limitation index (PL) and floral traits associated with plant reproduction or pollinator foraging behavior. We recorded significant pollen limitation for approximately 41% of species (9 out of 22 surveyed). Seven species had a significant positive response in seed production and two species increased in seed weight after pollen supplementation. Considering traits, PL significantly decreased with the number of pollinator functional groups. The relationship of PL with other examined traits was not supported by our results. The causes of pollen limitation may vary among species with regard to (1) different reproductive strategies and life history, and/or (2) temporary changes in influence of biotic and abiotic factors at a site.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/plants9050640 | DOI Listing |
Clin Transl Allergy
January 2025
Division of ENT Diseases, Department of Clinical Sciences, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
Background: Seasonal allergic rhinitis (AR) impacts public health by affecting work productivity and quality of life. The Swedish tree pollen season starts in February with alder and hazel pollination, followed by birch and ends with oak in May. Systemic corticosteroids are often prescribed when topical treatments fail, despite limited evidence supporting their efficacy.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMediators Inflamm
January 2025
Department of Otolaryngology, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510623, China.
Numerous studies have reported on the types of aeroallergen sensitization in various pediatric allergic diseases, but limited data compared the types of aeroallergen sensitization across different pediatric allergic diseases. The aim of this study is to explore the nature and significance of aeroallergen sensitization in diverse pediatric allergic conditions. A comparative analysis was carried out on aeroallergen sensitization in children suffering from allergic diseases who visited the Otolaryngology, Respiratory, and Dermatology Departments between January 2019 and December 2023.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPlants (Basel)
December 2024
Faculty of Agriculture, Tottori University, Tottori 680-8553, Japan.
Successful pollination and fertilization are crucial for grain setting in cereals. Wheat is an allohexaploid autogamous species. Due to its evolutionary history, the genetic diversity of current bread wheat () cultivars is limited.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFToxics
November 2024
Institute of Plant Protection Research 'Agrihorts', Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, 2 Paula Lejiņa Street, LV-3004 Jelgava, Latvia.
The honey bee () is the most widely managed pollinator and is vital for crop fertilization. Recently, bee colonies have been suffering high mortality rates, exacerbated by factors such as land-use changes and the use of pesticides. Our work aimed to explore the residues of pesticides in honey-bee-collected pollen and how this contamination was affected by seasonality and the landscape composition.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMolecules
December 2024
Observatory of Drug-Herb Interactions, Faculty of Pharmacy, Heath Sciences Campus, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal.
Bee Pollen (BP) has many advantageous properties relying on its multitargeting potential, a new tendency in managing many challenging illnesses. In cancer and neurodegeneration, the multiple effects of BP could be of unequaled importance and need further investigation. Although still limited, available data interestingly spotlights some floral sources with promising activities in line with this investigation.
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