Palynological Studies of the Plants Growing in Sind Region

Abstract

History of palynology is not very old it is comparatively a young science. The term palynology was coined by Hyde & Williams in 1945, derived from the greek verb ‘’Palynien’’ meaning to spread to distribute in recognition of the fact that dispersal of spores and pollen grain is mainly carried out by wind. Palynology deals with only the morphological characters of the pollen grain and spores mainly the structure of wall and its sculpture and not the live interior. Palynological studies are now found particularly helpful in subsurface stratigraphic correlation based on the study of bit cuttings & core samples from well drilled for petroleum. Dispersal pattern of fossil pollen grains has also been useful in palaographic studies, it has been particularly significant in determining ancient strand lines. Melittopalynology the study of pollen grains in honey gives hints to the time of year the honey was produced and shows the type of plants the bees has visited. Pollen grains in the qualitative analysis of drug opowers (Knell, 1914) shows adulterations and substitution. Pollen tablets are useful in the treatment of prostatitis (Ask-upmark,1960). By means of coprapalynological studies I,e the study of pollen grains in excrements, information can be obtained about the type of plants eaten by herbivorous animals. Palynology also plays an important role in criminology. The pollen grains from plants with a restricted distribution may, if found in dirt on shoes, clothes etc. Indicate more or less clearly where the contamination occurred. The wind pollinated pollen grains are found in the atmosphere, some of them causes allergines. The pollen concentration in atmosphere is counted and thepollen allergic persons are informed about their protection. The importance of palynology in plant taxonomy has been stressed by Wodehouse (1935), Erdtman (1952), wagenitz (1955), Rj (1961), Praglowski (1970) and many others. Palynology has shown a broad contact with plant taxonomy. Taxonomical amendments based on megamorphological characters are conformed on the palynological evidences. In the classification of plants the forms of pollen grains serve best in distinguishing and showing relationship among the higher groupings as families, tribes and genera, but sometimes they are also useful among species. In Pakistan we do not have any pollen flora written so far. Taking in consideration the lack of work done in this field, a project for writing the pollen flora of Sind(sponsored by Pakistan-science foundation) was started in the department of Botany, University of Sind, This basic information is the first step for the application of palynology in the applied fields. A pollen herbarium have been established in the department of Botany, University of Sind at Jamshoro, where all the palynologist can refer the pollen grains of this region. Permanent slides and Herbarium sheets are also preserved for the ready reference. This is the first herbarium of its kind in Pakistan. In the three years project fresh pollen material was collected from various localities of Sind I,e Karachi, Hyderabad, Dist. Dadu(Jamshoro) and particularly a detailed survey of that desert. Short collection trips at various season were made in the vicinity of Hyderabad. Due to lack of transportation facilities collection from the parts of upper Sind was not at the pollen herbarium, Department of botany, University of Sind.