Palynological studies in tribe Chlorideae (Poaceae) from salt range of Pakistan

Abstract

Pollen morphology of five species belonging to three genera of tribe Chlorideae (Poaceae) was examined by light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy. The studies showed that pollen in all species were circular in polar view, however, there are variations in equatorial view of pollen and other quantitative characters that is, polar and equatorial diameter, pore diameter and exine thickness, that are valuable in the identification and differentiation of species. Average pollen fertility in the tribe is 77.37%. Verrucate type of sculpturing is found in all species except Tetrapogon villosus, which showed the rugulate type of sculpturing and can be differentiated from Tetrapogon cenchriformis on the basis of its sculpturing pattern. The studies revealed that pollen characters are important in the taxonomy of grasses at the specific and generic level and can be useful in delimiting taxa of different tribes.

Key words: Palynological studies, chlorideae, salt range.