Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book focuses on application of pollen studies in various fields such as agriculture, horticulture, plant breeding, enhancing honey production, as an important tool in forensic science, reconstruction of past vegetation and environmental pollution and its effect on health particularly with reference to pollen allergy. Palynology involves the study of pollen and encompasses the structural and applied aspects of pollen. Pollen grains are the male reproductive structures produced by the flowering plants and gymnosperms. One unique feature of palynology is the fact that pollen and spores of both living plants and fossil plants are studied in detail. Students of palynology should be aware of the origin and development of palynology up to the present. Many earlier scientists contributed significantly to palynology under adverse conditions, for example, limitations and availability of relatively simple microscopes.