Palynology (General notes)

* What is Palynology?

Palynology means the study of Pollen grains and Spores. The word Palynology comes from Latin word Palynein, which means 'something sealer in air'. This study started in 1945 by Hyde and Williums.

* History of Palynology:

• In 1837 scientist Fritsche started to research about Pollen grains.
• In 1883 scientist Radkofer started to study different types of pollen grains if there is any way to identify plants by their pollen.
• Italian scientist Amici do his research for a long period (1824 to 1842) and finally described the role of pollen to produce seeds.
• In 1916 L. Von Post (a geologist) find some fossil pollen in earth soil.
• Wodehouse (American doctor) find that pollen grains cause some allergenic diseases in human body. He is the person who attached Pollen study in medical science. 
• In 1977, Bangladeshi scientist Prof. Dr. M K Pasha, University of Chittagong, started researching about Pollen grains. He wrote a book in Bengali named "Porag Renu Biggan". He is performing a pioneer role about the study of Palynology in Bangladesh.

Prof. Dr. Mostafa Kamal Pasha

 

He wrote a book named: Pollen grains(Their Structure & significance in science and medicine)

• G. Erdtman ( student of L. Von Post) is called the father of Modern palynology. In 1952 he wrote a book about pollen grains.

That period TEM (Transmission Electron Microscope) and SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope) made a remarkable contribution in study of Palynology.

• Before 1950, most topics of Palynology were discussed in Embryology.

* Palynology is related with this subjects: 

 

 Plant Taxonomy, Embryology, Bio Chemistry, Ecology, Agriculture, Paleonthology, Geography, Geology, Archeology, Medical Science. 

* Branches of Palynology:

There are two main branches of Palynology. They are as follows:

1. Fundamental (Morphologic, Aeropalynogy, Melistopalynology, Phermatopalynoly, Paleopalnology, Biogenic palynology)
2. Applies.