Effect of Road Dust Deposition on the Floral Lifespan of Scarlet gilia, <i>Ipomopsis aggregata</i>

Abstract

The Rocky Mountains are one of the world’s most diverse areas in all of Western United States. Like most wonders of the world, the Rocky Mountains are also subjected to unpaved roads, and these roads often produce fine particulates of dirt that are able to rise into the air with ease. In this study, we investigate how these dust particulates influence the life span of flowers. The plant used in this study was the sub montane perennial Scarlet gilia, Ipomopsis aggregata. We unveil how road dust particulates may be the mechanism that could explain of lower pollen loads on Scarlet gilia near unpaved roads. When exposed to the dusty treatment, the stigma on the flowers remain receptive only a fraction of the time as those that are undusted. This evidence supports the idea that road dust reduces the amount of time the stigma is receptive to pollen, which would explain the low pollen loads of Scarlet gilia near unpaved roads.

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