Estimation of the pollen and seed production of common ragweed in Europe
Résumé
Common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.) is an invasive weed of field
crops and human-disturbed habitats in Europe. As well as in its natural range (North
America), common ragweed is a threat to human health due to its abundant allergenic
pollen release. Most studies have been focused on airborne pollen monitoring, but to
date, no data have been available on precise individual plant pollen and seed production
related to plant traits growing in natural environment and on their corresponding source
of variation. The aim of this study was to evaluate pollen and seed production of common
ragweed plants in several populations in France. Seasonal pollen production per plant
ranged from 100 million to 3 billion and seed production from 346 to 6,114, depending
on plant size and habitat. Common ragweed plants developing in field crops produced
more pollens and seeds than those growing in other habitats. Pollen and seed production
was closely related to plant volume and biomass, thus providing a means of estimating
potential pollen and seed production in given target areas. Such biological data could be
integrated into population management strategies or into airborne pollen modelling
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