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Prerequisites
Identical coursesApplied Plant Physiology - Ecophysiology of Horticultural and Agronomical Crops (B-KUL-I0V77A)
English
44 
Second term
Cannot be taken as part of an examination contractCannot be taken as part of a credit contract
N. 
Universiteit StellenboschAims
This course deals with ecophysiological principles i.e. the interaction of plants with their environment. However, this module has the notion of being plant physiology that is applied and in mainly targeted to horticultural crops. In this course the physiology of the plant, the effects of the environment and the resultant effect on crop production (yield) are weaved together.
After the successful completion of this course the students should be able to:
1. Discuss how physiological processes, in particular photosynthesis, respiration, function in the plant and how these processes are regulated, relate and influence one another.
2. Discuss the core components of the IRGA, pressure bomb, fluorimeter, ceptometer and colorimeter and explain what these apparatus are able to measure and how in basic terms.
3. Interpret measurement data from apparatus and make recommendations or deductions and relate these back to underlying physiological causes.
4. Explain what plant stress is and be able to detect stress by analyzing graphs and/or measurement data. In addition you should be able to critically discuss the effect of plant stress on the plant’s physiological processes and health and potential impact on crop production (yield and/or quality).
5. Discuss how plants have adapted to cope with stress and make practical recommendations on how to mitigate certain types of plant stresses detrimental to crop production.
~ All information in this ECTS-file is based on the information provided by our partner institution. Minor changes to the content might occur. ~
~ This course is the same as SUN 12487-414 ~
Previous knowledge
Knowledge of the basics of plant physiology.
Is included in these courses of study
- Master in de bio-ingenieurswetenschappen: landbouwkunde (Leuven) (Major gewasproductie) 120 ects.
- Master of Bioscience Engineering: Agro- and Ecosystems Engineering (Leuven) (Major Subject: Plant Production Systems) 120 ects.
Activities
6 ects. Applied Plant Physiology - Ecophysiology of Horticultural and Agronomical Crops : Classes and Practicals (B-KUL-I0V77a)
Content
Course content
1. Introduction to the ecophysiology
2. The chemistry of carbon assimilation
- The light reaction
- The dark reaction
- Photorespiration
- C4 and CAP photosynthesis
- Portioning of photosynthesis products within the cell
3. What is stress?
4. Water and the plant-atmosphere continuum
- Water the molecule of life
- The water movement in the plant from soil to atmosphere
- Physical drivers of transpiration
- Morphological influences on transpiration (stomatal density and –size)
- Isohydric and anisohydric plants and stomatal regulation (water deficit stress)
- Adapting to changing water potentials
- Measuring water status in plants
- Water logging
5. Measuring photosynthesis and introducing light and CO2 curves
6. Gaseous exchange (CO2) and light
- CO2 supply: physical and morphological factors
- The light environment: canopy and light absorption by leaves
- Measuring light interception using a Ceptometer
- Sun versus shade plants and leaves: light curves revised
- Measuring light stress
- Natural mechanisms for reducing light stress. Acclimation, adaptation, xanthophyll cycle, ant-oxidants
- UV stress
- Colour and colour development
- Sunburn
7. Dark respiration
8. Wrapping it up with temperature
Course material
Class notes are available in English; textbook
Format: more information
This course consists of 24h of lectures and 20h of practicals.