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Updated: Aug 24, 2026

Staining the Cytoplasmic Ca2+ with Fluo-4/AM in Apple Pulp
Published on: November 6, 2021
Effects of simulated acid rain on pollen physiology and ultrastructure in the apple
L M Bellani1, C Rinallo, S Muccifora
1Istituto Policattedra di Biologia Generale, Università di Siena, Via T. Pendola 62, 53100, Siena, Italy.
Abstract:
Viability, germination and tube length were investigated in pollen grains of field-grown 'Summerred' apple trees (Malus domestica Borkh) exposed to deionized water, rainfall or simulated acid rain at pH 5.6, 4.0 and 3.0. Pollen viability and germination significantly decreased with lower values of pH and with increasing number of treatments. The effects of pH 5.6 and natural rainfall were not significant. Electron microscope investigation of vegetative pollen cells of plants exposed to acid rain at pH 4.0 and 3.0 showed modified features in mitochondria, plastids and endoplasmic reticulum.
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