ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Roadside Larch Trees (Larix Mill.) and Its Female
Generative Organs as a Biomonitor
of Air Pollution
Aleksandra Seta-Koselska1, Ewa Szczuka2, Ewa Skórzyńska-Polit1,
Marcin Domaciuk2, Irena Giełwanowska3
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1Department of Plant Physiology and Biotechnology, Institute of Biotechnology,
John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Konstantynów 1h, 20-708 Lublin, Poland
2Department of Plant Anatomy and Cytology, Institute of Biology, UMCS University,
Akademicka 19, 20-033 Lublin, Poland
3Department of Plant Physiology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn,
Oczapowskiego 1A, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2014;23(3):867-874
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
The disturbances in the morphology and anatomical structure of female generative organs were investigated
in two species of roadside larch trees Larix decidua Mill., L. decidua subsp. polonica, and L. kaempferi
(Lamb.) Carr., within the administrative boundaries of the city of Lublin. The irregularities of female cones
appear more often at the juvenile stage of their development. Completely dried cones or cones with partially
dried scales were observed on the L. decidua trees growing in a more polluted environment (in comparison
with the place of growing of control trees). Among the more developmentally advanced cones, partially dried
and completely deformed or bent female generative organs with a disturbed anatomical structure were visible.
Peroxidase activity was significant higher in L. decidua subsp. polonica located near the street with heavy traffic.
The study can be used as a basis for deeper and more detailed investigations of reproduction of larches in
different environments with air pollution in the area of Lublin and its vicinity. Maybe roadside larches and its
generative organs can be used as possible biomonitors of air pollution in urban conditions.