Palmer amaranth is resistant to several herbicides, including glyphosate, and there is concern that the resistance traits can be transferred between spatially segregated populations via pollen movement. The objective of this study was to describe the physical properties of Palmer amaranth pollen, specifically size, density, and settling velocity (Vs), that influence pollen flight. The mean diameter for Palmer amaranth pollen, as determined by light microscopy, was 31 µm (range of 21 to 38 µm); mean pollen diameter as measured with the use of an electronic particle sizer was 27 µm (range of 21 to 35 µm). The mean density of the solid portion of the pollen grain was 1,435 kg m−3. Accounting for the density of the aqueous fraction, the mean density of a fully hydrated pollen grain was 1,218 kg m−3. By Stokes's law, the estimated mean theoretical Vs for individual Palmer amaranth pollen grains was 3.4 cm s−1 for the range of pollen diameters with a mean of 31 µm and 2.6 cm s−1 for the range of pollen diameters with a mean of 27 µm. Results from laboratory studies indicated the majority of single pollen grains settled at a rate of 5.0 cm s−1. The difference between the theoretical and empirical estimates of Vs was likely due to changes in pollen density and shape postanthesis, which are not accounted for using Stokes's law, as well as the presence pollen clusters.
Nomenclature: Glyphosate; Palmer amaranth, Amaranthus palmeri S.Wats.
