PLSCS 4130 - Physiology and Ecology of Yield

Spring. 3 credits.

Prerequisite: course work in plant physiology or molecular biology or biochemistry, or advanced plant science.

T. L. Setter.

Study of processes involved in the conversion of solar energy into harvested plant products and environmental constraints on crop productivity. Topics include photosynthesis and essential processes that utilize photosynthetic energy, including nitrogen assimilation, phloem translocation and partitioning; canopy-scale influences on solar radiation use efficiency; regulation of growth processes in leaf, root, and floral/fruit/grain sinks in response to environment; seed and fruit set; water transport and stomatal regulation; root architecture and function, and behavior in water-limited situations. Examples come from the full spectrum of crops and model-plant systems. Students develop an ability to identify processes that could be improved through optimization of crop cultural practices or genetic change.