<p><i>Ambrosia artemisiifolia</i> L. (common ragweed) is an invasive species in Europe that produces highly allergenic pollen with substantial health impacts. Recently, populations showing aberrant floral morphotypes, characterised by bracteate racemes and strongly reduced or absent staminate heads, have been observed, particularly at field margins. The causes of these abnormalities remain unclear, although the involvement of pathogens has been suggested. We hypothesised that aberrant populations differ from typical ones in both the amount of airborne pollen released and the spectrum of other bioparticles, including potential phytopathogens. To test this, spore traps were installed at three heights (0, 50, and 150&#xa0;cm) above both typical and aberrant populations, and the captured airborne bioparticles were analysed. Pollen concentrations were markedly reduced above aberrant populations, consistent with their feminised floral structures. Differences were also observed in the composition and abundance of airborne fungal spores, with several phytopathogenic taxa, such as <i>Cryptophyllachora</i>, <i>Albugo</i>, and <i>Puccinia</i>, occurring more frequently above aberrant stands. These findings provide the first aerobiological evidence of distinct airborne particle profiles associated with the aberrant morphotype, highlighting possible links with phytopathogens. Further work, including tissue-level pathogen detection, will be required to confirm causal relationships.</p>

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Comparison of the spectrum and quantity of airborne bioparticles above morphologically typical populations of Ambrosia artemisiifolia and those with reduced male flower production

  • Jana Ščevková,
  • Matúš Žilka,
  • Peter Tóth,
  • Eva Zahradníková,
  • Michal Hrabovský

摘要

Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. (common ragweed) is an invasive species in Europe that produces highly allergenic pollen with substantial health impacts. Recently, populations showing aberrant floral morphotypes, characterised by bracteate racemes and strongly reduced or absent staminate heads, have been observed, particularly at field margins. The causes of these abnormalities remain unclear, although the involvement of pathogens has been suggested. We hypothesised that aberrant populations differ from typical ones in both the amount of airborne pollen released and the spectrum of other bioparticles, including potential phytopathogens. To test this, spore traps were installed at three heights (0, 50, and 150 cm) above both typical and aberrant populations, and the captured airborne bioparticles were analysed. Pollen concentrations were markedly reduced above aberrant populations, consistent with their feminised floral structures. Differences were also observed in the composition and abundance of airborne fungal spores, with several phytopathogenic taxa, such as Cryptophyllachora, Albugo, and Puccinia, occurring more frequently above aberrant stands. These findings provide the first aerobiological evidence of distinct airborne particle profiles associated with the aberrant morphotype, highlighting possible links with phytopathogens. Further work, including tissue-level pathogen detection, will be required to confirm causal relationships.