Weight loss and release of mineral nitrogen from decomposing pollen

Using reflux hydrolysis it was found that pollen N from 35 plant species was largely proteinaceous and that hexosamines were rare or absent. Using a static extraction procedure, it was found that for 39 species tested, 40% of the pollen weight and 60% of the pollen N were water soluble on average. Whole pollen (n=51) incubated at a continuous 8°C or 20°C with intervening daily periods (6 h) of 8°C for up to 30 d, as well as freeze dried water extracts, readily decomposed in sand or soil microcosms losing up to 67 and 62% of their initial weight and N respectively. It is concluded that pollen is a high quality and readily degradable resource for other organisms.