It is known that several pollen grains have allergic effects on humans. Pollen grains cause allergic diseases such as allergic rhinoconjuctivitis and allergic asthma in sensitive persons. The goal was to determine the annual allergenic pollen concentration and prepare a pollen calendar of an area to help cure allergic diseases. In this study one year of atmospheric pollen grains were identified.
Atmospheric pollen grains were collected during a one year period in Diyarbakir City. Diyarbakir lies between 400 15'N- 370 50'E in the southeastern part of Turkey. Samples were obtained by a 7-day continuous volumetric trap installed about 15 m above ground level, on the roof of the Dicle Hospital.
This study was made from 2004 - 2005. During this time different pollen taxa were identified. 20 out of 45 taxa were dendrite 25 of 45 were herbaceous. The number of pollen grains increased suddenly in February. This increase in pollen number continued and reached at their highest point in May. A significantly decrease in pollen number began in July. The concentration of pollen grains changed with climatic parameters such as mean temperature, mean rainfall and mean wind speed.
Pollen grains, which show different allergic effects, were seen more or less every month in Diyarbakir's atmosphere. Increase and decrease in pollen number was not linear and it took place according to atmospheric conditions and vegetation periods of plants which produce pollen grains.