Long term monitoring of air-borne pollen and fungal spores and their allergenic significance

Abstract

The qualitative and quantitative analyses of aerospora at Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany are assessed for the biogenic pollutants of Lucknow atmosphere. The Impaction method was employed for preparing annual pollen and spore calendars over six years (1969-1970, 1970-1971, 1971-1972, 1983-84, 1984-1985, 1985-1986). As many as 61 types of pollen grains and 27 types of fungal spores have been encountered. The maximum number of pollen grains were recorded in the year 1985-86 (24383) and minimum in the year 1969-70 (13005), whilst the maximum number of fungal spores encountered were in 1971-72 (22604) and minimum in the year 1969-70 (12771).

It has been visualized that long term pollen/spore monitoring at a particular site provides a strong base for the prediction of aeroallergens as a warning towards the allergenic disorders. The well recognised allergenic pollen and spore of Lucknow area include Argemone mexicana , Amaranthus spinosus, Cannabis sativa, Chenopodium album, Prosopis juliflora, Cyperus rotundus, Ricinus communis, Xanthium strumarium and many species of Aspergillus.