A high-efficiency learning training method for identifying plant pollen

Abstract

The present application relates to the field of palynology, and particularly relates to a high-efficiency learning training method for identifying plant pollen, comprising: collecting modern plant pollen samples; observing the morphological characteristics of different pollen samples under an optical microscope, taking photos, describing the types of grooves and ornamentation, and preliminarily grasping the key morphological characteristics of each pollen group; putting a plurality of pollen samples with large size or morphological differences into one test tube, mixing the samples of two test tubes into a new test tube to form a small group, and observing, identifying and taking photos of the pollen groups under a microscope by using the sample of the small group; mixing the samples of two small groups into a medium group, and observing and identifying the mixed samples under a microscope; mixing the samples of two medium groups into a large group, and observing and identifying the mixed samples under a microscope; and repeating the above steps until the identification training of the main common pollen groups of families and genera is completed. The present application can effectively improve the efficiency of beginners in mastering the pollen identification skills.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the fields of plant pollen ecology and palynology, specifically to an efficient learning and training method for identifying plant pollen. Background Technology

[0002] Plant pollen, characterized by its abundant production, wide distribution, ease of preservation, and distinctive morphological features, has become an extremely important proxy indicator for paleoenvironmental research. Accurate identification of pollen groups is fundamental to subsequent research using pollen data. Because pollen morphology varies significantly between different families and genera, while differences between closely related species are negligible, pollen group identification under an optical microscope has become a specialized technique. Microscopic pollen group identification is a highly specialized skill, typically requiring months to a year of intensive professional training for beginners. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide an efficient learning and training method for identifying plant pollen. By mixing and grouping pollen samples with large differences in size and morphology, and then performing cross- and repeated identification of different groups, it can help beginners effectively master and consolidate the key morphological characteristics of common representative pollen groups, improve the learning and working efficiency of pollen identification, effectively consolidate learning results, and shorten the learning cycle.

[0004] To further achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: an efficient learning and training method for identifying plant pollen, the method comprising the following steps: S1. Collect modern plant pollen samples and dry and preserve them under 40% humidity.

[0005] S2. Under a 40x optical microscope, conduct preliminary morphological observations on different pollen samples, take photos and describe the pore grooves and ornamentation types, compare the micrographs with the standard images in the reference atlas, and preliminarily grasp the key morphological characteristics of each pollen group.

[0006] S3. Mix ten pollen samples with significant differences in size or morphology in a test tube, add 10% sodium hydroxide solution, and heat in a 70°C water bath for 10 minutes to remove the pollen contents. Then, take the samples from two test tubes (each containing ten pollen groups) and mix them in a new test tube to form a group. Take one group of samples and observe, identify, and photograph the twenty pollen groups under a microscope.

[0007] S4. Mix the samples from the two groups in step S3 into a medium group, take the mixed sample for observation and identification under a microscope, and grasp the key morphological characteristics of forty pollen groups.

[0008] S5. Mix the samples from the two intermediate groups in step S4 into a large group, take the mixed sample for observation and identification under a microscope, and grasp the key morphological characteristics of eighty pollen groups.

[0009] S6. Repeat steps S3 to S5 in sequence until the identification training of common pollen groups of major families and genera is completed.

[0010] Compared with existing technologies, this invention has the following beneficial effects: Based on traditional identification of single pollen groups, this invention mixes pollen samples from different families and genera with significant differences in size or morphology into different levels of groups. These groups are then cascaded, cross-referenced, and repeatedly identified, with the number of pollen species gradually increasing until the key morphological characteristics of common representative families and genera of pollen groups are mastered. This allows beginners to quickly and efficiently grasp the key morphological characteristics of representative pollen groups, improving pollen identification learning efficiency and shortening the learning time to approximately 12 weeks. This method can effectively improve the efficiency of beginners in mastering pollen identification skills. Attached Figure Description

[0011] Figure 1 This is a flowchart of the method of the present invention; Figure 2 This invention describes the process of mixing pollen samples into different levels of groups. Figure 3These are photomicrographs of twenty pollen groups, including: a. Loropetalum chinense (Hamamellaceae, Loropetalum genus) and Zephyranthes chinensis (Amaryllidaceae, Zephyranthes genus), which differ in size; b. Acanthopanax (Acanthaceae, Acanthopanax genus); c. Nymphaeum (Nymphaeaceae, Nymphaeum genus), with annular germination pores, and Pueraria lobata (Fabaceae, Pueraria genus), with 3 grooves, which differ in groove type; d. Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Rhamnaceae, Gynostemma genus); e. Phytolacca americana (Phytolacca americana genus), with 3 grooves, and Impatiens balsamina (Balsaraceae, Impatiens genus), with 4 grooves, which differ in size and groove type; f. Hedyotis diffusa (Lamiaceae, Hedyotis diffusa genus), with 6 grooves, and Impatiens balsamina (Balsaraceae, Impatiens genus), with 4 grooves, which differ in groove type; g. Chrysanthemum morifolium (Asteraceae, Chrysanthemum morifolium genus); h. Camellia septemlobus (Theaceae, Camellia genus); i. * Bermuda grass (Poaceae family, *Cynodon* genus); j. Lycoris radiata (Amaryllidaceae family, *Lycoris* genus); k. Impatiens jinggangshanensis (Balsaraceae family, *Impatiens* genus) (bottom image), with 4 grooves, *Alisma dongfangensis* (Alisma family, *Alisma* genus) (top image), with diffuse pores, the two have different groove types; l. *Pheretima aspergillum* (Apiaceae family, *Pheretima* genus), with 3 grooves, *Impatiens jinggangshanensis* (Balsaraceae family, *Impatiens* genus), with 4 grooves, the two have different groove types; m. Stephania tetrandra (Menispermaceae family, *Stephania* genus), with fine reticulate patterns on the surface, *Kalimeris indica* (Asteraceae family, *Kalimeris* genus), with small spiny patterns on the surface, the two have different patterns; n. Koelreuteria bipinnata (Sapindaceae family, *Koelreuteria* genus), with obvious and relatively coarse carvings, *Kalimeris indica* (Asteraceae family, *Kalimeris* genus), with small spiny patterns, the two have different patterns; o. *Impatiens jinggangshanensis* (family Balsaminaceae, genus *Impatiens*), with 4 grooves; *Calystegia stenoptera* (family Convolvulaceae, genus *Calystegia*), with diffuse pores; the two differ in size and groove type. p. *Salvia splendens* (family Lamiaceae, genus *Salvia*). Figure 4 for Figure 3 The image shown is a magnified picture of a single pollen grain of the Impatiens balsamina, with the four grooves of the pollen grain marked with red arrows. The size can be determined using the scale in the image; the pollen grain of the Impatiens balsamina on the right is larger than that of the Phytolacca acinosa on the left. Detailed Implementation

[0012] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the invention will be further described in detail below with reference to embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the invention.

[0013] Example 1

[0014] An efficient learning and training method for identifying plant pollen, such as Figure 1 As shown, it includes the following steps: S1. Collect modern plant pollen samples and dry and preserve them under 40% humidity.

[0015] In this invention, storing pollen samples in a dry environment with 40% humidity can prevent them from becoming moldy over a long period of time.

[0016] S2. Under a 40x optical microscope, conduct preliminary morphological observations on different pollen samples, take photos and describe the pore grooves and ornamentation types, compare the micrographs with standard images in authoritative reference atlases, and preliminarily grasp the key morphological characteristics of each pollen group.

[0017] In this invention, comparison with standard images in authoritative reference atlases is used to confirm that the pollen groups involved are consistent and the pollen morphology is basically consistent. Authoritative atlases include "Pollen Morphology of Chinese Plants" and "Pollen Morphology of Tropical and Subtropical Angiosperms of China," etc.

[0018] like Figure 3 , Figure 4 As shown, after taking a photograph, the observer judges and describes the type of pores and ornamentation by visual inspection. Key morphological characteristics of pollen include pollen size, shape, exine ornamentation, number and structure of germination pores (grooves), etc., and the group to which the pollen belongs is identified by morphological characteristics (determining the family and genus to which the pollen belongs).

[0019] S3. Mix ten pollen samples with significant differences in size or morphology in a test tube, add 10% sodium hydroxide solution, and heat in a 70°C water bath for 10 minutes to remove the pollen contents. Then, take the samples from two test tubes (each containing ten pollen groups) and mix them in a new test tube to form a group. Take one group of samples and observe, identify, and photograph the twenty pollen groups under a microscope.

[0020] In this invention, pollen contents refer to the pollen inner wall and internal protoplasm enclosed by the hard pollen outer wall. Pollen contents block light, causing the fine textures (such as reticulate ridges and spiky protrusions) on the pollen surface to be blurred under a microscope. After removing the contents, only the transparent or translucent outer shell remains, which can more clearly display the geometric shapes and surface features required for classification.

[0021] Figure 3 These are microscopic photographs of twenty pollen groups. Pollen groups can vary considerably in size and morphology, for example... Figure 3 The red-flowered Loropetalum (Loropetalum chinense, Hamamelidaceae family) on the left and the Zephyranthes amaranth (Zephyranthes genus, Amaryllidaceae family) on the right have nearly spherical pollen grains, approximately [size missing]. Micrometers, with 3 grooves; the pollen of the leek flower is larger, about the size of Micrometer, with 1 groove.

[0022] This step involves mixing ten pollen groups. This increases the number and difficulty of the groups to test the accuracy of the identification, while keeping the number and difficulty within a range that beginners can manage.

[0023] S4. Mix the samples from the two groups in step S3 into a medium group, take the mixed sample for observation and identification under a microscope, and grasp the key morphological characteristics of forty pollen groups.

[0024] S5. Mix the samples from the two intermediate groups in step S4 into a large group, take the mixed sample for observation and identification under a microscope, and grasp the key morphological characteristics of eighty pollen groups.

[0025] like Figure 2 As shown, in steps S3 to S5, the first mixing in step S3 requires two test tubes, each containing a mixture of 10 pollen types. The samples from these two test tubes are mixed into a small group. In step S4, the two small groups are mixed into a medium group. In step S5, the two medium groups are mixed into a large group. Completing these steps requires mixing the samples from eight test tubes step by step.

[0026] S6. Repeat steps S3 to S5 in sequence until the identification training of common pollen groups of major families and genera is completed.

[0027] In this invention, common pollen groups are referenced from the Chinese Modern Pollen Dataset, Chen Haiyan et al., 2021, Acta Phytoecologica Sinica.

[0028] Those skilled in the art will readily understand that the above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A highly efficient learning and training method for identifying plant pollen, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: S1. Collect modern plant pollen samples, dry and preserve them; S2. Under an optical microscope, observe the morphological characteristics of different pollen samples, take pictures and describe the pores and ornamentation types, compare the micrographs with the standard pictures in the reference atlas, and preliminarily grasp the key morphological characteristics of each pollen group. S3. Mix various pollen samples with large differences in size or shape in a test tube, remove the pollen contents, then take the samples from two test tubes and mix them in a new test tube to form a group. Take a sample from the group and observe, identify and photograph these pollen groups under a microscope. S4. Mix the samples from the two groups in step S3 into a medium group, take the mixed sample for observation and identification under a microscope, and grasp the key morphological characteristics of these pollen groups. S5. Mix the samples from the two intermediate groups in step S4 into a large group, take the mixed sample for observation and identification under a microscope, and grasp the key morphological characteristics of these pollen groups. S6. Repeat steps S3 to S5 in sequence until the identification training of common pollen groups of major families and genera is completed.

2. The efficient learning and training method for identifying plant pollen according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step S1, the drying and preservation refers to drying and preservation under a humidity of 40%.

3. The efficient learning and training method for identifying plant pollen according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step S2, the morphological characteristics of different pollen samples are observed under a 40x optical microscope.

4. The efficient learning and training method for identifying plant pollen according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step S2, the key morphological features include the size, shape, exine ornamentation, number and structure of germination pores / grooves of the pollen.

5. The efficient learning and training method for identifying plant pollen according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step S3, ten pollen samples with significant differences in size or morphology are mixed in a test tube.

6. The efficient learning and training method for identifying plant pollen according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step S3, the method for removing pollen contents is to add a 10% sodium hydroxide solution and bathe in a 70-degree Celsius water bath for 10 minutes.

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