Assessment of heat units models for predicting flowering dates in Graminacae species growing in Northern Sardinia (Italy).

Airborne pollen is responsible for several diseases. Knowledge of pollen season features is important to optimise airborne pollen allergies prevention. The aim of this paper is to assess two heat accumulation methods for predicting peak airborne pollen concentrations (i.e. flowering stage occurrences) in Graminaceae species growing in North Sardinia (Italy). The application of degree days models, on a 18-years data-set, has given good results in prediction of peak pollen concentration and has confirmed to be a useful tool in the prevention of allergenic diseases caused by pollen also when used for predicting flowering dates in Graminaceae species.