Diversity of Sambucus nigra pollen within Slovakia in selected morphological characters by SEM study

Abstract

This study analyzed pollen morphology and characteristics of 20 Sambucus nigra L. genotypes from populations of various ecotypes and geographical localities from the territory of Slovakia. We used principal component analysis to explore variability in pollen grain size (polar and equatorial diameter), shape, aperture type, and exine ornamentation by scanning electron microscopy. The combination of these morphological characteristics and ultrastructure allows us to determine the differences or similarities between the same and various species and genotypes, which may be a useful tool for systematics with significant diagnostic value. The findings confirmed small differences among the genotypes in measured traits with polar and equatorial diameters in the range from 22.30 to 26.64 μm and from 12.81 to 14.45 μm, respectively. Shape index (P/E ratio) depending on elongation or roundness of pollen grains varied from 1.66 to 2.02. Hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and principal component analysis (PCA) of morphological data helped to compare evaluated morphometric parameters and identified three closely related groups. It was noted that the diversity of surface sculpturing of pollen grains in combination with their shape and size enables us to use a complex of fine morphologic signs for S. nigra pollen identification. Pollen data combined with other morphological evidence (e.g., floral characters) have more recently become an important indicator of which genotypes may be the best representatives of species.

Pollen Morphology of Some Species of the Genus Amelanchier Medik.

“…The complex morphological characteristics and ultrastructure of pollen grains allow determining the differences or similarities between the species. Quantitative (dimensions) and qualitative (ornamentation, colour) data of pollen have significant value in botanical (Ďurišová, 2018) and taxonomic classification, due to preserved palynological features in many plants (Grygorieva et al, 2019;Motyleva et al, 2017Motyleva et al, , 2018aHorčinová Sedláčková et al, 2020, 2021a. SEM investigations showed that the pollen grains species of Amelanchier are prolate and perprolate, 3 rd furrow is meridional, in outline from the pole are three furrow -the furrows are long, narrow, smooth.…”

California’s endemic Cornus sessilis in Ukraine

“…There are no significant signs of diseases or injuries, either mechanical or from pests. Morphological descriptors reflect not only genetically determined and evolutionarily determined factors, but also the response of the plant to certain living conditions in specific localities (Henry, 2005;Belyakov et al, 2017;Lykholat et al, 2017;Gritsan et al, 2019;Horčinová Sedláčková et al, 2019). They are widely used to control the condition of plants at all stages of introduction -from the initial testing to the "complete" acclimatization and naturalization of new species and varietal testing, as well as to preserve plant biodiversity of aboriginal and global floras (Primack & Miller-Rushing, 2009;Krishnan & Novy, 2016;Faraji & Karimi, 2020).…”

Study of Phenotypes Variability of Pollen Grains Malus domestica Borkh. by Scanning Electron Microscopy

“…Skvortsov & Maitul. (Grygorieva et al, 2018), Sambucus nigra L. (Horčinová et al, 2018(Horčinová et al, , 2020.…”

“…Data could be considered that hierarchical cluster analysis separates pollen selections into three closely related groups -main clusters. Other authors have also used cluster analyses to evaluate the morphological data of pollen, including pollen characteristics enabling a better understanding of taxonomic classification, the genus or subgenus relationships or phylogenetic lineages (Grygorieva et al, 2015(Grygorieva et al, , 2016(Grygorieva et al, , 2018Horčinová et al, 2018Horčinová et al, , 2020Horčinová et al, , 2021Baldemir et al, 2018;Soares et al, 2018).…”