PPH 101: Introductory Crop Physiology
Credit Hours: 3 (2+1)
Full Marks: 75 (Theory: 50, Practical: 25)
Course Objectives
Upon completion, students will be able to:
- Understand the physiological functions in crop plants.
- Comprehend water and mineral absorption, photosynthesis, respiration, and translocation of organic solutes.
- Learn about plant growth regulators, growth and development, and yield-attributing characteristics.
I. Syllabus Overview
- Introduction to crop physiology and cell physiology.
- Biophysio-chemical phenomena: diffusion, osmosis, water potential, laws of thermodynamics.
- Water and mineral absorption, transpiration, and factors affecting them.
- Photosynthesis (C3, C4, CAM), respiration (Glycolysis, Krebs cycle, ETS).
- Translocation of organic solutes and source-sink concept.
- Plant growth regulators (Auxin, Gibberellins, Cytokinins, Ethylene, ABA).
- Growth and development, seed dormancy, photoperiodism, vernalization.
- Yield-attributing characters of crops and physiological aspects of crop growth.
II. Course Outline
A. Lecture (30 Lectures)
| S.N. | Topic | Subtopics | No. of Lectures |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction | Definition, scope, practical applications | 1 |
| 2 | Cell Physiology | Types and ultrastructure; organelles (mitochondria, chloroplast, ER, nucleus, ribosome, microbodies, cytoskeleton) | 2 |
| 3 | Biophysio-Chemical Phenomena | Laws of thermodynamics; diffusion and osmosis; water potential | 3 |
| 4 | Water & Mineral Absorption | Ascent of sap, mineral uptake, translocation, deficiency symptoms; transpiration and guttation | 5 |
| 5 | Photosynthesis | Light and dark reactions; C3, C4, CAM; photorespiration; factors affecting photosynthesis | 4 |
| 6 | Respiration | Concepts, types, respiratory quotient; glycolysis, Krebs cycle, ETS; factors affecting respiration | 4 |
| 7 | Translocation of Organic Solutes | Phloem structure, apoplastic/symplastic transport, source-sink concept, transport hypotheses | 2 |
| 8 | Growth & Development | Growth phases, seed germination, dormancy, photoperiodism, vernalization | 5 |
| 9 | Plant Growth Regulators | Auxin, Gibberellins, Cytokinins, Ethylene, ABA; role in agriculture | 2 |
| 10 | Yield Attributing Characters | Photosynthesis, respiration, leaf canopy, source-sink relation, growth analysis | 2 |
| Total | 30 |
B. Practical (15 Practicals)
| S.N. | Topic | No. of Practicals |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isolation of cell organelles by centrifugal process | 1 |
| 2 | Determination of DPD of potato tubers | 1 |
| 3 | Structure & distribution of stomata (monocot) | 1 |
| 4 | Structure & distribution of stomata (dicot) | 1 |
| 5 | Transpiration studies (cobalt chloride paper, hotometer, bell jar) | 1 |
| 6 | Photosynthetic pigments (paper chromatography & calorimeter) | 1 |
| 7 | Factors affecting photosynthesis | 1 |
| 8 | Root pressure (exudation & transpiration pull methods) | 1 |
| 9 | Field symptoms of essential minerals | 1 |
| 10 | Study of aerobic respiration and alcoholic fermentation | 1 |
| 11 | Anatomy of C3 and C4 plant leaves | 1 |
| 12 | Measurement of growth (height & weight) | 1 |
| 13 | Effect of GA on physiological processes | 1 |
| 14 | Field visit for physiological studies | 1 |
| 15 | Field visit to crop fields for physiological aspects | 1 |
| Total | 15 |
References
- Devlin, R.M. & Witham, R.H. (1986). Plant Physiology. CBS Publications, New Delhi, India.
- Jain, V.K. (1997). Fundamentals of Plant Physiology. S Chand and Co Ltd., New Delhi, India.
- Kimball, J.W. Biology. Addison-Wesley Publishing (Chapters 3, 6, 8, 9, 12 & 23).
- Saxena, S.K. (1995). Modern Practical in Plant Physiology and Biochemistry. CBS Publications, New Delhi, India.
