Grass Pollen Pollution from Biofuels Farming

Based on its low costs and high harvests, red fescue ( Festuca rubra ssp. rubra L.) is a promising plant for biofuel production in the subtropics and temperate climate. Once the acreage increases rapidly, its pollen pollution was studied in detail. Robust analysis on the shape, size, and chemical composition, especially the presence of allergens was conducted for 2 successive years in relation to 3 levels of N- and PK-fertilization. Multiparametric statistical analysis showed that there was no significant effect on the pollen grain size nor on the profile and content of the phenolic compounds. On the other hand, intense fertilization naturally increased the number of panicles, and consequently the overall pollen production. In addition, higher levels of fertilization significantly (P 0.016 , resp. P 0.011 ) influences the content of tryptophan, which is involved in the occurrence and course of the allergic reactions.