Pollen Morphology of Selected Bee Forage Plants

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G.J.B.B., VOL.2 (1) 2013: 82-90 ISSN 2278 – 9103

POLLEN MORPHOLOGY OF SELECTED BEE FORAGE PLANTS

Shubharani, R., Roopa, P. & Sivaram, V. Laboratory of Biodiversity and Apiculture, Department of Botany, Bangalore University, Bangalore-560056, India

ABSTRACT Pollen taxonomy is the prerequisite to compare the pollen present in honey samples with special reference to melissopalynological investigation. There is a scope to prepare pollen reference slides of flowering plants visited by honeybees of different ecological regions. The present study was undertaken during March 2010 to June 2012 in Western Ghats of Karnataka. Sixty eight flowering plants visited by honeybees were collected from Western Ghats of Karnataka and pollen morphological studies have been carried out. Species belonging to family Astraceae pollen are spinolous spherical in shape. The different species in families Fabaceae has a great morphological diversity. They also have variation in symmetry, position and distribution of apertures, exine structure and sculpture of the pollen wall. The pollen grain of plants belonging to family Malvaceae is echinate. Species of family Myrtaceae pollen are colporate and prolate.

KEY WORDS: Pollen morphology, Bee plants, pollen wall, exine structure, spinolous, echinate.

INTRODUCTION Karnataka are Chamarajanagara, Mysore, Kodagu, Honeybees and flowering plants have been considered as Chikamaglur, Shimoga, Hassan, Dakshina kannada, Uttara an example for co-evolution and mutualism. Honeybees kannada, Dharwad and Belgaum. It has geographical area need flowering plants for nectar and pollen as source of of 44,870 sq meter and lies between 120.80’ and 160.14’ food and flowering plants need honeybees for pollination. North latitude and 740.08’ and 760.19’ East longitude Beekeeping is entirely depending on the types of (Sivaram, 1995). This region was selected for maximum flowering plants available in any given area. There is a utilization of flora by beekeepers and recognizes the major need to understand honeybee plant relationship to study pollen and nectar source to honeybees. The information on food preferences of honeybees and pollination bee plants, pollen morphology and types of pollen in this requirement. Pollen of various plants representing region is limited. The purpose of this study is to provide potential source of nectar and pollen for the honeybees is the reference information on nectar and pollen source for an important pre-requisite for the developing apiary honeybees and to evaluate the morphological difference in (Kalpana and Ramanujam 1997). Pollen from the different pollen grains of selected bee forage plants. flowers has specific shape, size and ornamentation. Microscopical analysis of pollen of plants forged by bees MATERIALS AND METHODS is an established method to determine the source of honey Field studies in the area. Earlier several studies on pollen morphology In the present investigation, the pollen morphology of 68 have been done worldwide (Raj 1969, Sowunmi 1973, plant species from 39 families of apiculture importance Tomb et. al., 1974, Nair and Kapoor 1974, Gill and has been identified and studied during March 2010 to June Chinnappa, 1982). Kral (1992) has made palynological 2012. A field survey in different places in Western Ghats investigation of forest trees in relation to forest history and of Karnataka was conducted in order to identify the natural mixture of tree species on the basis of their pollen potential zones for the beekeeping. The sample of ripe profile. Noor et al., (2004) has done the palynological pollen grains were collected from mature flower buds studies of cultivated plants of Rawalpindi, Pakistan. directly from the field after the plant has been confirmed Adekanmbi and Ogundipe (2006) described the pollen as bee plant by visual observation that bees are foraging morphological of 20 cultivated plants of Nigeria. Perveen on plant either for nectar or for pollen or both. The mature and Qaiser, 2009 and 2010) conducted the pollen studies pollen grains of the identified bee plant species are of the family Moringaceae and Berberidaceae. Several collected and preserved in 70% alcohol for further taxonomists identify the plant species on the basis of investigation. phenotypic character of plant. But now the pollen Preparation of pollen slides morphological studies can provide a basis for the The preserved material was prepared by acetolysis method identification of plant species. An interest in pollen according to Erdtman (1960) for light microscope, which morphology has increased its full application in involves the introduction of acetolysed mixture systematic, paleobotany and allergy has been recognized comprising acetic anhydride mixed with concentrated (Noor et al., (2004). Pollen study has significant sulphuric acid in the ratio 9:1. The tubes were immersed in application in recognition of bee plants. boiling water bath for 3-5 min, centrifuged and the Western Ghats of Karnataka has a great diversity of supernatant decanted. The residue was washed water and flowering plants and has good potential for commercial decanted, about few drops of glycerin was added and beekeeping. The area fall under Western Ghats in mounted on slide. The prepared slides were studied under

82 Pollen morphology of bee forage plants light microscope for morphological studies and species are herbs and 1 aquatic plant. The pollen photomicrograph of pollen grains was taken. morphology varies among different plant species; occur in varying shapes and forms. They also show variation in RESULTS AND DISCUSSION symmetry, exine structure and sculpture. Cassia sp., Data collected during the study is presented on Table 1. Euphorbia sp., Terminalia sp., Melastoma sp. and The information incorporates 68 species belonging to 39 Pongamia pinnata pollen are spherical, pollen of family families, useful as source of forage to honeybees. Malvaceae are echinate. Pollen of Anthurium sp., Information of flowering period and their economic Adhatoda vasica, Antigonon leptopus, Jasminum sp. and importance is also given. The forage source includes Punica granatum are oblate in shape. 39.7% are tree species, 32.3% are shrubs and 26.4%

TABLE-1: Pollen type and its morphology

Sr. Pollen type Plant name and Morphology Flowerin Forage No. Family name g period source 1. Acacia sp. Polyad type, individual (Fabaceae) cell sub-globose, in 9-12 Tree periphery and square in centre, polyads not in the form of pollinia, (grains group of 16) 2. Adhatoda vasica Monoporate, oblate, ( Acanthaceae) radial symmetry 1-12 Shrub

3. Agava sp. Colpate, striate surface, (Agavaceae) bilateral symmetry 1-12 Shrub

4. Ageratum conyzoides Prolate, spinolous, (Asteraceae) radial symmetry 1-12 Herb

5. Anthurium sp. Oblate, colpate, prolate, (Araceae) oralolongate, brevicolpi. 1-12 Herb bilateral symmetry

6. Antigonon leptopus Striated surface, exine (Polygonaceae) reticulate, oblate shape, 1-12 Shrub bilateral symmetry

7. Bauhinia purpurea Tri-periporate, prolate- (Fabaceae) spheroid, reticulate , 2-4 Tree oralolongate, bilateral symmetry

8. Bombax malabaricum Colporate, prolate, (Bombacaceae) per-oblate, 1-3 Tree bilateral symmetry

9. Butea monosperma Colporate,prolate, oblate- (Fabaceae) spheroid, obscure pattern, 1-5 Tree bilateral symmetry

83 G.J.B.B., VOL.2 (1) 2013: 82-90 ISSN 2278 – 9103

10. Caesalpinia pulcherrima 3-colporate, sub-oblate (Fabaceae) shape, bilateral symmetry 3-6 Tree

11. Calliandra portoricensis Polyad type, individual (Fabaceae) cell globose , prolate shape 4-6 Tree

12. Callistemon linearis Colporate, prolate, oblate- (Myrtaceae) spheroid, obscure pattern, 2-5 Tree bilateral symmetry

13. Cassia fistula Colporate, prolate, prolate- (Fabaceae) spheroid, punctitegillate, 3-8 Shrub bilateral symmetry

14. Chrysanthemum sp. Exine reticulate, porate, (Asteraceae) spheroid, spinolous, 1-12 Herb radial symmetry

15. Cocos nucifera 1-Sulcate, is reticulate (Arecaceae) type, monad, bilateral 1-12 Tree symmetry

16. Coffea sp. 3-colporate,oblate, exine (Rubiaceae) forming a ring, 3-4 Shrub bilateral symmetry

17. Commelina diffusa Shape elliptical, narrow (Commelinaceae) furrow on one (convex) 7-10 Herb side, bilateral symmetry

18. Coriandrum sativum 3-Colporate, prolate, per- (Apiaceae) prolate, bilateral symmetry 6-8 Herb

19. Croton sp. Inaperturate, retipilate, (Euphorbiaceae) radial symmetry, 1-12 Shrub clavateexine

20. Cucurbita pepo Porate, exine is (Cucurbitaceae) reticulate,or retipilate, 8-10 Shrub radial symmetry

84 Pollen morphology of bee forage plants

21. Cyperus sp. Aperture indistinct, pear (Cyperaceae) shaped,3-4 aperturoid 8-1 Herb areas, bilateral symmetry,

22. Datura arborea Colporate, prolate, oblate- (Solanaceae) spheroid, oralolongate, 1-12 Shrub brevicolpi. radial symmetry

23. Elaeocarpus 3-colporate, prolate to angustifolius prolate-spheroid exine 7-10 Tree (Elaeocarpaceae) obscure, bilateral symmetry

24. Eucalyptus globus Colporate, prolate, (Myrtaceae) oblate-spheroid, obscure 1-8 Tree pattern,parasyncoplate, bilateral symmetry

25. Euphorbia pulcherrima 3- Colporate, spheroid (Euphorbiaceae) shape, furrows indistinct, 11-1 Shrub reticulate, bilateral symmetry.

26. Eupatorium purpureum Porate, spheroid shape, (Asteraceae) spinolousexine, 9-3 Herb radial symmetry,

27. Gliricida sepium Monocolpate, exine (Fabaceae) obscure, sub-oblate, 1-12 Tree bilateral symmetry

28. Gomphrena globosa Pantoporae, spheroid, (Amaranthacae) exinepunctitegillate with 6-9 Tree supratectal processes, radial symmetry

29. Hamelia patens Perprolate, exin epsilate, ( Rubiaceae) radial symmetry 1-12 Shrub

30. Hibiscus sp. Pantoporate, pores 32, (Malvaceae) echinate, 1-12 Shrub radial symmetry

31. Holmskioldia sanguinea 3-Colpate,oblate- spheroid (Verbinaceae) shape,psilate surface, 1-12 Shrub furrows are complex with 2 pseudocolpi bilateral symmetry

85 G.J.B.B., VOL.2 (1) 2013: 82-90 ISSN 2278 – 9103

32. Ipomoea indica. Pantoporate, pores 70- (Convolvulaceae) 75,Echinate, 1-12 Shrub radial symmetry

33. Ixora coccinea Colpate-Prolate, ( Rubiaceae) oralalongate, 1-12 Shrub radial symmetry

34. Jasminum sp. Sub oblate, or oblate (Oleaceae) spherical, furrows short, 1-12 Shrub reticulate, radial symmetry

35. Jatropha curcus Inaperturate, reticulate, (Euphorbiaceae) gemmate exine, crotonoid 1-12 Shrub pattern surface, radial symmetry

36. Cimbopogon citratus Monolete, Monoporate, (Poaceae) inaperturate, exine psilate, 1-12 Herb radial symmetry

37. Malva sylvestris Pantoporate, echinate, (Malvaceae) spheroid, radial symmetry 4-7 Herb

38. Mangifera indica Colporate, prolate, striato- (Anacardiaceae) reticulate, 2-5 Tree bilateral symmetry

39. Manilkara zapota Colporate, psilateexine, (Sapotaceae) radial symmetry 5-8 Tree

40. Melastoma sp. 3-colporate, prolate, (Melastomaceae) spheroid, radial symmetry 1-12 Tree

41. Mimosa pudica Tetrad, tetragonal, Psilate, (Fabaceae) radial symmetry 7-10 Herb

42. Moringa oleifera Ptychotreme, psilateexine, (Moringaceae) oncus, Periporate, 1-4 Tree radial symmetry

86 Pollen morphology of bee forage plants

43. Mussaenda sp. 4-5 colporate, obscure (Rubiaceae) pattern, punctitegillate, 1-12 Tree oblate-spheroid, bilateral symmetry

44. Nelumbo nucifera Sub globose, (Nymphaceae) radial symmetry 4-6 Aquatic plant

45. Ocimum sp. 6-colpate,sub-oblate, (Lamiaceae) reticulate. hexatreme, 1-12 Herb radial symmetry

46. Passiflora foetida Reticulate surface, oblate (Passifloraceae) shape, bilateral symmetry 4-7 Herb

47. Pavonia sp. Pantoporate, spheroid (Malvaceae) exineechinate, spinolous, 6-8 Herb radial symmetry

48. Peltophorum Colporate, prolate- pterocarpum spherical, exine reticulate, 4-6 Tree (Fabaceae) bilateral symmetry,

49. Plumbago zeylanica 3-colpate, reticulate, (Plumbaginaceae) prolate-sub prolate, 9-11 Shrub furrows are long, bilateral symmetry

50. Pongamia pinnata Prolate to prolate-spheroid (Fabaceae) pores indistinct, colporate, 3-7 Tree punctitegillate, bilateral symmetry

51. Psidium guajava Triangular spore wall, (Myrtaceae) smooth, prolate, oblate- 4-9 Tree spheroid, oralalongate, bilateral symmetry

52. Punica granatum. Colpate, oblate , (Punicaceae) radial symmetry 4-6 Tree

53. Ricinus communis 3- Colporate, prolate- (Euphorbiaceae) spheroid, finely reticulate, 1-4 Shrub bilateral symmetry

87 G.J.B.B., VOL.2 (1) 2013: 82-90 ISSN 2278 – 9103

54. Rosa canina 3-colporate, spherical (Rosaceae) shapeor prolate 1-12 Shrub spheroid,exine is intectate, surface psilate, bilateral Symmetry 55. Ruta graveolens Colporoidate, exinepsilate, (Rutaceae) bilateral symmetry 3-5 Herb

56. Samanea saman Polyad type, individual (Fabaceae) cells are sub-globose, 3-7 Tree group of cells are more than 16, bilateral symmetry

57. Santalum album Colporate, Prolate, (Santalaceae) psilate exine, 9-12 Tree radial symmetry

58. Sesamum indicum Anamotreme, colpate, (Pediliaceae) sub oblate shape, 5-9 Herb bilateral symmetry

59. Sida sp. Pantoporate, echinate, (Malvaceae) radial symmetry 7-12 Herb

60. Solanum melongena Prolate, sub-spheroid, (Solanaceae) punctitegillate, furrows 1-12 Shrub long, exinepsilate and thin, bilateral symmetry

61. Syzygium jambos Sub triangular spore wall, (Myrtaceae) smooth, psilateexine, 3-6 Tree colporate, prolate, oblate- spheroid, obscure pattern, parasyncoplate, bilateral symmetry 62. Tabebuia argentea Triangular aperture, 3- ( Bignoniaceae) colpate, prolate-spheroid 12-2 Tree to sub prolate, clavate surface, bilateral symmetry

63. Tagetes erecta Pantopoarate, (Asteraceae) spinolous exine, 1-12 Shrub radial symmetry

88 Pollen morphology of bee forage plants

64. Tecoma stans Tri- zonocolpate, (Bignoniaceae) bilateral symmetry 9-12 Tree

65. Terminalia sp. 3-colporate, prolate, (Combrataceae) spheroid shape, 5-10 Tree radial symmetry

66. Thespesia populnea Pantoporate, (Malvaceae) exineechinate, spheroid, 1-12 Shrub radial symmetry

67. Thunbergia alata Furrows are fused, (Acanthaceae) sometimes forming spiral, 1-12 Herb radial symmetry

68. Tridax procumbens Porate, spinolous, spheroid (Asteraceae) shape. 1-12 Herb radial symmetry

The pollen of Acacia sp., Calliandra portoricensis and identify the pollen present in honey samples in order to Samanea saman are sub globoes, where as Commelina know the botanical and geographical origin of honey. diffusa pollen are elliptical in shape, Cyperus sp. has pear shaped pollen, and Plumbago zeylanica pollen grain is ACKNOWLEDGMENTS reticulate in shape. It has been established in this study, Authors are thankful to Department of Science and that the species belongs to family Asteraceae pollen type Technology, Govt. of India, New Delhi, for the financial were spinolous and Malvaceae pollen types were echinate. assistance and also to Chairperson, Department of Botany, But there is variability in the pollen type of the species Bangalore University, and Bangalore for providing the belongs to family Fabaceae. Therefore, it is essential to facilities. examine a large number of pollen grains from one family in order to obtain a complete knowledge of different types REFERENCES within that family. Species belongs to the family Erdtman, G. (1960) The acetolysis method –A Revised Myrtaceae pollen grains are colporate and prolate. Pollen Description. In Svensk. Bot. Tidskr., 54 : 561-564. grains of species belong to family Euphorbiaceae are inaperturate and reticulate. Little variation can be seen in Gill, L.S. and Chinnappa, C.C. (1982) Pollen morphology the pollen morphology of the plant species belongs to of the West-Himalayan Labiatae. Bangladesh J. Bot., 11: family Rubiaceae. 107-123. Identification of bee forage plants and their propagation helps in proving the bee forage which in turn improves the Kalpana, T. P. and Ramanujam, C.G.K. (1997) efficiency of beekeeping industry and commercial honey Melittopalynology, bee plants and beekeeping potential in production. Karnataka is one of the leading states in India some coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh, India. Indian in beekeeping development. This study helps beekeepers Bee J., 59: 1-8. in Karnataka to formulate this seasonal bee management schedule particularly for migrating of bee colonies to Kral, F. (1992) Forest history and the natural mixture of different floral sources. These studies will be useful for tree species in Vienna wood. Palynological investigation. identifying the flora used by honeybees and improve the Central blatl-fur-das-Gesamte- forestwesen, 3, 163-183. conservation status of economically important plants. The pollen morphology is also useful to identify various Noor, M. J., Ahmad, M., Asghar, R., Kanwal, A. and species and taxa in their respective families. It is useful to Pervaiz, S. (2004) Palynological studies of cultivated plant

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Perveen, A. and Qaiser, M. (2009) Pollen flora of Tomb, A.S., Larson, D.A. and Skvarla, J.J. (1974) Pollen Pakistan-Moringaceae , Dombeyoideae-Lxii.. Pak. J. Bot., morphology and detailed structure of family Compositae, 41, 491 -494. Tribe Cichorieae, Sub tribe- Slephanomerinae. Am. J. Bot., 6, 486-498. Perveen, A. and Qaiser, M. (2010) Pollen flora of Pakistan-LXV. Berberidaceae. Pak. J. Bot., 42, 1-6.