On Sat, 7 Dec 2002 20:12:26 -0600, "Gordon Couger"
wrote:


Pollen that is carried very far on the wind is not variable. it dehydrates.
We can measure the dust from China blowing over here so it carries a good
way. Every once in a while we get smoke in the upper atmosphere from Mexico
burning sugar cane before harvest.

I think you mean "viable", not "variable." Maize pollen viability
depends on time, temperature, and humidity. Viability falls rapidly
in hot, dry conditions but pollen can be viable for hours in cool,
moist conditions. That's long enough for pollen to travel into the
next county (if not farther) when winds are strong.

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