Pollen analysis of spider web samples from Korba District, Chhattisgarh (central India): an aerobiological aspect

Pollen analyses of spider web samples, collected from the recently planted Tectona grandis ( T . grandis , teak)-dominated tropical deciduous forest of Bhulsidih Village, Korba District (Chhattisgarh, central India), shed light on the relationship between the extant vegetation and pollen rain. The study revealed the dominance of pollen of herbs and trees, whereas shrubs, fern spores and algal remains are meagre. Among the tree taxa, Sapotaceae, Syzygium , Holoptelea , Lannea coromandelica , Shorea robusta and Grewia are dominating with moderate to low and intermittent presence of Madhuca indica , Terminalia , Mitragyna , Schleichera , Anacardiaceae , Diospyros, Emblica officinalis and Flacourtia . However, the rest of the forest constituents are either not represented at all despite their presence in the floristics, which could be attributed to their low pollen productivity owing to entomophily as well as their poor pollen preservation pattern. On the other hand, the ground vegetation is represented by the very high frequency of grasses (Poaceae) along with Tubuliflorae, Chenopodiaceae/Amaranthaceae and Cerealia, however, Artemisia , Xanthium , Malvaceae, Caryophyllaceae and Justicia in moderate to lower values. Ferns, which occur abundantly along the adjoining stream banks, are marked by the sporadic retrieval of trilete spores that could be ascribed to the prevailing damp condition around the sampling provenance. The study, in addition to understanding the pollen–vegetation relationship, could also be helpful in aerobiological study, especially in assessing the allergenicity of various pollen grains/spores in the area of investigation, causing bronchial asthma, hay fever (allergic rhinitis/pollinosis), naso-bronchial allergy and other respiratory disorders along with conjunctivitis, contact dermatitis, eczema, food allergies and other health disorders.