“Crop Physiology” focuses on the vital physiological functions and metabolic processes that govern crop growth, resource utilization, and yield formation. The curriculum details plant-water relations (diffusion, osmosis, water potential, transpiration, stomatal physiology), mineral nutrition and ion uptake mechanisms, photosynthesis (light reaction, Calvin cycle C3, Hatch-Slack C4, and CAM pathways), photorespiration, phloem translocation and source-sink dynamics, plant growth regulators (auxins, gibberellins, cytokinins, ethylene, ABA), growth analysis parameters (LAI, NAR, CGR, Harvest Index), and abiotic stress physiology.
Topics Covered
- Role and Physical Properties of Water in Plant Systems
- Soil Moisture Dynamics – Field Capacity, Available Water, and Permanent Wilting Point
- Water Absorption Mechanisms – Active and Passive Absorption and Factors Influencing Uptake
- Transpiration – Types, Significance, Stomatal Mechanism, and Anti-Transpirants
- Mineral Nutrition – Essential Nutrients, Physiological Roles, and Deficiency Symptoms
- Mechanisms of Nutrient Uptake – Passive and Active Ion Transport across Membranes
- Photosynthesis – Radiant Energy Absorption, Photosynthetic Pigments, and Light Reactions
- Photophosphorylation – Cyclic and Non-Cyclic Electron Transport
- Carbon Assimilation Pathways – C3 (Calvin Cycle), C4 (Hatch-Slack Pathway), and CAM Mechanisms
- Photorespiration (C2 Cycle) – Biochemical Significance and Impact on Photosynthetic Efficiency
- Respiration in Crops – Glycolysis, TCA Cycle, and Electron Transport Chain
- Translocation of Organic Solutes – Phloem Loading, Unloading, and Munch Pressure Flow Hypothesis
- Source-Sink Dynamics, Yield Components, and Harvest Index (HI) Optimization
- Plant Growth Analysis – Leaf Area Index (LAI), Net Assimilation Rate (NAR), and Crop Growth Rate (CGR)
- Plant Growth Regulators – Auxins, Gibberellins, and Cytokinins Physiological Functions
- Ethylene and Abscisic Acid (ABA) – Roles in Fruit Ripening, Abscission, and Dormancy
- Practical Applications of Plant Growth Regulators in Crop Production
- Abiotic Stress Physiology – Drought Stress, Osmotic Adjustment, and Drought Resistance
- Temperature Stress – Cold Injury, Chilling, Heat Shock Proteins, and High-Temperature Effects
- Salinity Stress and Toxic Ion Accumulation Mechanisms in Crops
- Seed Germination and Seed Vigour – Physiological Changes during Germination
- Senescence and Abscission – Types, Hormonal Regulation, and Physiological Significance
File Details
| Title | Crop Physiology |
| File Name | PPHY261 – Crop Physiology.pdf |
| File Type | PDF Document (.pdf) |
| File Size | 55.48 MB |
| Total Pages | 224 Pages |