ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Indian J. Aerobiol., Vol 23, Nos. 1&2, pp 46-55 (2010)

SEASONAL VARIATION IN ATMOSPHERIC POLLEN CONCENTRATION IN HUMID

TROPICAL CLIMATE OF SOUTH ASSAM, INDIA

DHRUBA SHARMA1, B.K. D UTTA1 AND A.B. S INGH2

1
DEPARTMENT OF ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE , ASSAM U NIVERSITY, SILCHAR , ASSAM -788011 (INDIA).
2
INSTITUTE OF GENOMICS AND INTEGRATIVE BIOLOGY, MALL ROAD, DELHI -110 007 (INDIA).

The average pollen concentration is found to be 22.9 m-3 air (12.4 m-3 in first year and 10.5 m -3 in second year,
respectively). However, a total of 16525 pollens (8976 air in first year and 7549 air in second year, respectively) were
recorded from the atmosphere of south Assam during the study period. Poaceae pollen was found to be the dominant
pollen type followed by Cassia, Asteraceae, Mimosaceae etc. The maximum pollen concentration was recorded
during winter season in the month of February (717.2/m3 air) followed by December (660/m3 air), September (493.3/
m3 air) respectively. Overall, the dry periods of the year (i.e., from September to February) recorded maximum
pollen concentration per m3 of air. Several known allergenic pollen types like Acacia, Cocos, Cassia, Ricinis etc
were common in the atmosphere during the survey period. Winter and spring season were found to favour higher
atmospheric pollen concentration in South Assam. However, a different peak period of pollen distribution is recorded
in the present survey as compared to the earlier report. Known allergenic pollen grains were recorded in large number
which indicates the probable risk of pollen allergic cases in this part of the country.

INTRODUCTION years4-7. However, in South Assam, preliminary pollen

The knowledge of aerobiological components is of
immense importance due to their application in
different fields of human interest. Pollens are amongst
the earliest known aeroallergens and are the major
source of sensitization among atopic individuals1. The
knowledge of seasonal and annual fluctuations in
airborne pollen in any geographical area is essential
for effective diagnosis and treatment of pollen allergy2.
The role of different pollen allergens varies with
environmental conditions, such as climatic factors,
pollution and degree of exposure. Because of change
in climatic conditions, observation on diurnal and
seasonal prevalence becomes very important 3 .
Consequently information gained in this way is for
direct application to handling hay fever patients than
the most exhaustive botanical studies.
In eastern part of India, the Aerobiological surveys
were conducted at few places during the recent
survey was conducted in indoor as well as outdoor
environment 8-9. Most of the research publications on
atmospheric pollen diversity suggested maximum
pollen count in the early morning as compared to
afternoon or evening time. The present study was
conducted in the tropical climate of Southern part of
Assam bounded by N. C. Hills district in the North,
Mizoram district in the South, Manipur in the East and
Bangladesh in the West (Fig. 1). Physiographically the
area is plain with some hillocks in and around the tea
garden area. It will be interesting to study the movement
of aero-biocomponents from the adjoining hilly areas
to Assam in general and to South Assam in particular.
Keeping the above in view, the seasonal and annual
pattern of airborne pollens during first half of the day
was carried out in Greater Silchar area which lies in
the southern part of Assam between 24º5‘N latitude
and 92º48‘E longitude and about 26-27m above mean
sea level. The geographical position provides a
moderate vegetation cover and a rich air-flora.

CORRESPONDENCE : Dr. Dhruba Sharma, Department of Botany, Rajiv Gandhi University, Doimukh- 791 112, Arunachal Pradesh.
Phone: 91 360 2002998; Fax: 91 360 2277317; Email: dhrubasharma07@gmail.com)
 Seasonal Variation in Atmospheric Pollen Concentration
Fig 1. Map of Assam showing the location of Greater Silchar area
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Air sampling was carried out for 2 hrs (from 8hrs to
10hrs) at three different sites in Greater Silchar using
Burkard Personal slide sampler (Burkard
manufacturing co., UK). The sites were selected on
the basis of population density, geographical position
and vegetation cover. Sampling was done for two
consecutive years from December’01 to November’03
once in every three days interval for two consecutive
years at about two meters above the ground level. The
survey sites were: Site I- Assam University (with rich
vegetation), Site-II-Meherpur (a residential site) and
Site-III (a market place). The pollen count was
expressed as number m -3 air by multiplying the data
with correction factor. Gelatine jelly smeared glass
slides were used for trapping the pollen grains.
Identification of trapped pollens was done by
comparing with reference pollen slides and available
literature10-12. Meteorological data were collected from
47
Tocklai Tea Research Centre, Silcoori (Silchar) for
correlating with the monthly pollen data. Statistical
analyses of collected data were done with the help of
MINITAB 12.5 statistical software.
RESULTS
Seasonal variation
Altogether 59 pollen types were trapped and
identified from the air of greater Silchar area, which
includes the pollens of trees, weeds/cultigens and
grasses. First year aeropalynological survey (from
December’01 to November’02) revealed maximum
pollen concentration in the month of December (1117.1/
m3 of air) and lowest in the month of June (493.0/m3
air) while during the second year of survey (from
December’02 to November’03) maximum pollen
concentration were encountered in the month of
February (1228.3/m3 air) and lowest in the month of
48 Dhruba Sharma, B.K. Dutta and A.B. Singh

August (371.8/m3 air) (Fig. 2). Poaceae and
Cyperaceae pollen were found maximum during the
month of February, April and May while tree pollens
were found dominant during November to February.
However, the weed and shrubs pollens were found
maximum during the month of December, February,
June and September. Acacia pollens were recorded
maximum in the month of December during first year
of survey however, they are prevalent in the atmosphere
of South Assam during January/February and
September-December. During the second year of
survey, April and May showed maximum pollen count.
Asteraceae pollens were recorded round the year but
maximum concentrations were recorded in the month
of February (in first year) and September (in second
year) respectively. Similarly, Cassia pollens were
found maximum during December (in first year) and
February (in second year) respectively. Cleome pollens
were found maximum during December (in first year)
and May (in second year). Cocos pollen was found
round the year but maximum concentration was
recorded in the month of September (during first year)

Fig 2. Climatogram of South Assam and annual atmospheric pollen concentration (total no.m-3 air) during the survey period
 Seasonal Variation in Atmospheric Pollen Concentration
and January (during second year) respectively. Poaceae
pollens were dominant during October (in first year)
and December (in second year) respectively, although
their concentration was high round the year. Ricinus
pollen was recorded in negligible quantity during first
year, however, during the second year it was found
maximum in the month of May. Trewia pollens were
found higher during March-April. Among the genus
Cassia, C.alata, C.festula, C.occidentalis, C.sophera
were recorded by general plant survey in South Assam
and among them C.alata was found to be the dominant
species. Acacia auriculiformis, Amaranthus spinosus,
Cocos nucifera and Ricinus communis also were found
to be the dominant species of the genus Acacia,
Amaranthus, Cocos and Ricinus respectively. Among
the members of Poaceae group, Imperata cylindrica
was found to be the predominant species in South
Assam. Although the pollen of genus Cleome and
Trewia was lower in the atmosphere during the survey
period, but Cleome gynandra and Trewia nudiflora
plants were found quite common in the vicinity of
South Assam.
Annual Concentration
The annual distributions of atmospheric pollen
grains were found almost equal in the first and second
years of survey. Of the total 9155 pollen grains trapped
and identified from the selected sites during the survey
period, 49.85% were encountered during the first year
whereas, second year contributed 50.15% (Table 1).
The monthly and annual concentrations of the
predominant and known allergic pollen grains of South
Assam are shown in Fig. 3. Out of the total pollens
trapped and identified during the survey period,
Poaceae pollen contributed the maximum percentage
(32.4%), followed by Cassia (6.25%), Asteraceae
(5.93%), Cyperaceae (4.51%) whereas Eucalyptus,
Cedrus, etc are found to be least dominant in the study
sites. During the first year, 38.3% of the total pollens
were contributed by Poaceae followed by Cassia
(7.8%), Mimosa (5.8%), Asteraceae (4.8%),
Combretaceae etc, while during the second year,
Poaceae contributed 26.5% of the total pollen followed
by Cyperaceae (8.3%), Asteraceae (7.0%), Cassia
(4.7%), Ricinus (3.7%) etc. The prevalence of the
other pollen types is found during their respective
flowering seasons. Though, it was difficult to identify
49
grass pollen due to their indistinguishable
morphological characters, however, with the help of
floristic survey of the area, these polynomorphs were
attributed to; Cynodon, Imperata, Saccharum,
Sorghum, Zea mays etc.
Among the three study sites Assam University
campus shows highest percentage of pollen count
(42.5%), followed by Meherpur (33.6%) and lowest
by Sadarghat (23.8%) respectively (Fig. 4). Most of
the dominant pollen types were found in maximum
concentration in Assam University campus, however,
Acacia and Cocos pollen were maximum in Meherpur
area (Fig. 5). The meteorological parameters were
found to influence the prevalence of atmospheric pollen
during the survey periods. In the present study
moderate atmospheric temperature, low rainfall,
moderate to high atmospheric humidity and moderate
wind speed is found to favour the prevalence of
maximum pollen concentration in the atmosphere of
Greater Silchar area of Assam (Fig. 2). Analysis of
variance among the various meteorological parameters
and annual pollen concentration is shown in fig.6.
Lower range of variations was recorded in the monthly
& annual values of various meteorological parameters,
except for rainfall and humidity which shows moderate
range of variations. Monthly pollen distribution shows
high range of variations during the second year, as
compared to first year. A significant negative
correlation was observed between the monthly average
rainfall and monthly pollen distribution (r= -0.652,
P<0.05). However an insignificant negative correlation
was found between monthly pollen distribution and
mean temperature, humidity and wind speed.
DISCUSSION
In the present study, maximum pollen concentration
was recorded during January-March and October-
December. Higher pollen concentration during winter
and spring seasons could be due to the fact that Winter
and Spring season favour higher poaceae pollen which
is the dominant pollen type in the present study.13
Higher pollen count during the month of December (in
1st year) and lowest during August (in 2nd year) is
contradictory to the earlier findings where maximum
researcher has reported higher pollen count during
March/April and September/November.14-15 However,
Satpute et al.,4 Sharma et al. 8 and Pandey et al.16 have
50 Dhruba Sharma, B.K. Dutta and A.B. Singh

Table-1
Table I Annual distribution of total pollen types in Southern part of Assam.

Pollen Types Pollen count (no. m-3 air) Percentage Mean ± SD

1st yr 2nd yr Total 1st yr 2nd yr. Total
Acacia sp. 202 34 236 2.2 0.4 1.4 17.79 ± 7.08
Adhatoda sp. 49 30 79 0.5 0.4 0.5 6.0 ± 1.87
Ailanthus sp. 8 28 36 0.09 0.4 0.2 2.25 ± 0.88
Albizia sp. 66 12 78 0.7 0.1 0.07 4.5 ± 2.32
Allium sp. 25 181 206 0.2 2.4 1.2 15.23 ± 4.15
Amaranthus sp. 0 267 267 0 3.5 1.6 21.76 ± 12.41
Areca sp. 14 8 22 0.1 0.1 0.1 1.73 ± 0.52
Argemone sp. 133 4 137 1.5 0.05 0.8 10.63 ± 9.11
Asteraceae 475 683 1158 5.3 9 7 94.50 ± 31.28
Azadirachta / Malia sp. 61 30 91 0.6 0.4 0.6 5.01 ± 4.61
Bombax sp. 22 5 27 0.2 0.3 0.2 2.49 ± 1.20
Bougainvillea sp. 21 28 49 0.2 0.4 0.3 3.61 ± 1.41
Cajanus sp. 0 28 28 0 0.4 0.2 2.00 ± 1.17
Callistemon 59 33 92 0.6 0.44 0.6 5.41± 2.5
Cassia sp 748 455 1203 8.3 6 7.3 95.05 ± 15.85
Cleome sp. 38 52 90 0.4 0.7 0.5 6.63 ± 2.66
Clerodendrum sp. 76 48 124 0.8 0.6 0.7 8.00 ± 4.18
Cocos sp. 239 117 356 2.7 1.5 2.1 25.27 ± 4.41
Combretum sp. 389 191 580 4.3 2.5 3.5 44.69 ± 20.16
Crotalaria sp. 20 134 154 0.2 1.8 0.9 24.30 ± 9.09
Cyperaceae 88 742 830 0.9 9.8 5 68.41± 14.14
Datura sp. 294 31 325 3.2 0.4 1.9 24.33 ± 22.36
Erythrina sp. 18 36 54 0.2 0.05 0.3 2.41± 1.04
Eucalyptus sp. 0 14 14 0 0.2 0.8 0.65 ± 0.41
Lantana sp. 268 157 425 2.9 2 2.6 30.49 ± 6.84
Leucas sp. 0 203 203 0 2.7 1.2 14.83 ± 6.25
Liliaceae 0 18 18 0 0.2 0.1 0.90 ± 0.71
Macaranga sp. 77 0 77 0.8 0 0.5 4.50 ± 2.77
Melastoma sp 214 54 268 2.4 0.7 1.6 20.33 ± 7.03
Mimosa sp. 589 434 1023 6.5 5.7 6.2 78.16 ± 22.17
Moringa sp. 8 48 56 0.09 0.6 0.3 3.26 ± 2.62
Peltophorum sp. 137 32 169 1.5 0.4 1 16.00 ± 7.26
Poaceae 3948 2705 6653 43.9 35.8 40.2 478.76 ± 44.51
Polygonum sp. 0 8 8 0 0.1 0.05 2.00 ± 0.30
Psidium sp. 67 13 80 0.7 0.2 0.5 2.58 ± 2.06
Ricinus sp. 29 335 364 0.3 4.4 2.2 28.16 ± 16.2
Rosa sp. 11 19 30 0.1 0.25 0.2 1.81± 0.86
Samnea sp. 13 17 30 0.1 0.2 0.2 1.3 ± 0.80
Solanum sp. 58 62 120 0.6 0.8 0.7 2.27 ± 4.08
Tectona sp. 376 201 577 4.1 2.7 3.5 45.51± 14.89
Trewia sp. 22 19 41 0.2 0.25 0.2 2.25 ± 2.27
Typha sp. 83 7 90 0.9 0.09 0.5 8.23 ± 4.8
Zizyphus sp. 31 26 57 0.3 0.3 0.3 12.11± 1.45
*Mean ± Standard deviation
 Seasonal Variation in Atmospheric Pollen Concentration 51

A B

C D

E F

G H

Fig 3. Seasonal and annual distribution patterns of common and dominant pollen grain in the atmosphere of Greater Silchar area (from
2001-2003). A. Acacia sp., B. Asteraceae, C. Cassia sp., D. Cleome sp., E. Cocos sp., F. Poaceae, G. Ricinis sp., H. Trewia sp.
52 Dhruba Sharma, B.K. Dutta and A.B. Singh

Fig 4. Total number of pollen grains recorded in three different survey sites of Greater Silchar area (no. m-3 air)

Fig 5. Distribution pattern of some dominant pollen types in three different study sites of South Assam
(total number of pollen m-3 air)
 Seasonal Variation in Atmospheric Pollen Concentration 53

Fig 6. Analysis of variance among the various meteorological parameters and annual pollen concentration.
1= Maximum temperature range -1st year; 2= Minimum temperature range-1st year;
nd
3= Maximum temperature range-2nd year; 4= Minimum temperature range-2 year; 5=Rainfall -1st year;
6= Rainfall-2nd year; 7=Maximum humidity range -1st year; 8= Minimum humidity range-1st year;
9= Maximum humidity range-2nd year; 10= Minimum temperature range-2nd year; 11=Wind speed=1st year;
12=Wind speed-2nd year; 13= Annual pollen concentration-1st year; 14= Annual pollen concentration-2nd year.

recorded similar patter of pollen distribution. Higher
pollen count during the dry seasons is well supported
by the study made by Sharma and Dhakra17 and
Kessle.18 Hyde and Williams,19 reported that pollen
counts in the air remain low on cloudy days as
compared to non cloudy days. Meteorological factors
like rainfall was found to have direct influence on the
pollen distribution however, the mean temperature,
humidity and wind speed had insignificant effect. A
similar kind of effects of meteorological conditions in
pollen dispersal and deposition were reported by
several workers throughout the world. 20-21
Grass pollen constitute significantly to the
aerobiology of South Assam as they are mostly
54 Dhruba Sharma, B.K. Dutta and A.B. Singh
anemophilous, very light, small in size, provided with
smooth exine and are produced in large quantities. 22
Extensive investigations on the air borne pollens in
Delhi revealed that the grasses are the dominant pollen
types followed by Ailanthus and Ricinus. 23 Domination
of Poaceae pollen in the atmosphere has also been
reported by several other workers from different parts
of India. 24-26 Besides Poaceae, domination of
Asteraceae and Cyperaceae pollen in the atmospheric
condition of Assam was also reported by Devi et al.7
Availability of high concentration of Amaranthus
pollen in the atmosphere could be due to the fact that
it produces an enormous amount of pollen to be
disseminated in the atmosphere. 27-28 Supporting the
present work, Bhattacharya et al. 29 had reported high
frequency of Cocos nucifera pollen and their
prevalence in the atmosphere throughout the year from
West Bengal.
The highest percentage of pollen grains recorded in
Assam University campus could be due to the fact that
it has dense vegetation and forest cover in and around
the campus which might contribute to the pollen
production and deposition. Higher percentage of
atmospheric pollen grains in Assam University campus
and Meherpur area implies that pollen allergic cases
could be prominent in this part of survey sites. The
presence of entomophilies plant pollens in considerable
number during the survey period could be accounted
due to their detachment from the carrier (insects)
during their flight. These include the pollens of
Melastoma, Bougainvillea, Lantana, Clerodendrum,
bombax etc. Similar contribution of the pollen of
entomophilous plants to airspora has also been reported
by Dutta and Jain, 30 from Gwalior. Domination of any
plants in the vicinity of the study area does not signify
the abundance of its pollen. Some of the plant species
such as Ailanthus excelsa, Amaranthus spinosus,
Argemone mexicana, Cleome gynandra, Ricinus
communis etc, though small in number are significant
enough in shedding large quantity of pollen into
environment and are allergenically important. The
seasonal domination of air borne pollen grains in the
atmosphere indicates that allergy due to these bio-
components is mostly seasonal and their concentration
& diversity varies from area to area. Atmospheric
pollen concentration is found to be correlated with the
severity of allergic problems. Waisel et al.31 has
reported highest degree of correlation between airborne
pollen counts and nasal and bronchial allergic
symptoms.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Authors are grateful to the Director, Institute of
Genomics and Integrative Biology, Delhi, for the
financial assistance during the above study period.
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