The quality of scots pine pollen (Pinus sylvestris L.) in the emission area of JSC «karabashmed»

Abstract

The results of the study of the state of mature pollen of Scots pine stands in the zone of action of smoke emissions from plant JSC «Karabashmed» in connection with the level of technogenic impact are presented. It was shown that disturbances in the development of male gametophyte in the zones of technogenic pollution are already realized at the early stages of microspore development and are revealed by the high frequency of small underdeveloped pollen. At the same time, the frequency of small and degenerated pollen was many times higher in the pool of mature pine pollen in the stand under conditions of a low level of pollution than under background conditions. A high frequency of pollen grains with anomalies of air sacs was detected in the stand under background conditions. The results of the study indicate a high sensitivity of the male generative system to technogenic pollution (accumulated in the soil, aerosol, gas) and the possibility of its bioindication in the absence of symptoms of damage to the assimilation apparatus. It was found that most of the pine trees growing on the soil of fine-stone-sandy composition correspond to the categories of weakened and dying ones, which makes it possible to recognize the conditions of the man-made land as extremely unfavorable for the growth and development of pine. The mature pine pollen of these stands is characterized by the peculiar features that distinguish it from the pollen of other stands. The conclusion is made about the negative effect of smoke emissions from the JSC «Karabashmed» plant on the condition of pine plantations and the male generative system of pine, even at a considerable distance from the source of emissions. © 2021 Author(s).