UGA Bulletin

Course Description

Plant function from the cellular level to the plant community level (typical of crop production systems). Cultural and environmental factors influencing physiological processes, crop growth responses, and productivity are discussed. Distinctions are made between crop species when fundamental differences in plant processes exist (e.g., C3 versus C4 species).

Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Graduate students will be expected to develop a research proposal providing 1) a review of literature on a recent topic in crop physiology (selected from a list of topics chosen by the instructor), 2) hypotheses and objectives for a proposed area of research, 3) materials and methods to be used to address the research objectives, and 4) the potential outcome and broader impacts of the proposed study.

Athena Title

Crop Physiology

Undergraduate Prerequisite

BIOL 1103 or (BIOL 1107 and BIOL 1107L) or (PBIO(BIOL) 1210 and PBIO(BIOL) 1210L) or permission of department

Graduate Prerequisite

BIOL 1103 or (BIOL 1107 and BIOL 1107L) or (PBIO(BIOL) 1210 and PBIO(BIOL) 1210L) or permission of department

Semester Course Offered

Offered spring

Grading System

A - F (Traditional)

Student Learning Outcomes

After completing this course, students should be able to list the major physiological drivers of yield in crop plants.
After completing this course, students should be able to compare net photosynthesis at the leaf and canopy level in C3 and C4 crop species.
After completing this course, students should be able to describe the process of carbohydrate translocation from sources to sinks.
After completing this course, students should be able to illustrate the process of water movement through the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum.
After completing this course, students should be able to define the role of essential macronutrients and micronutrients in crop physiological processes.

Topical Outline

I. Plant Structure: Cells, Tissues, and Organs
II. Photosynthesis and Respiration
III. Canopy-Level Carbon Fixation
IV. Assimilate Transport and Partitioning
V. Cell and Whole-Plant Water Relations
VI. Crop Evapotranspiration and Water Deficit
VII. Mineral Nutrition and Biological Fixation
VIII. Plant Growth Regulation
IX. Crop Growth and Development

Syllabus

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