Course: AGY 508 - PHYSIOLOGY OF CROP GROWTH AND CROP YIELD II (3 CREDITS/ ELECTIVE) Lecturer: Yekeen Abiola ABAYOMI,

Ph.D Professor of Agronomy Department of Agronomy Faculty of Agriculture University of Ilorin, Ilorin Kwara State, Nigeria E-mail: abiyomi@unilorin.edu.ng yabayomi2007@yahoo.com

Office Location: Room 7, First Floor, Professorial Suite Consultation Hours: 3 5 p.m., Monday to Friday

Course Content: Inorganic components of plants, Metabolism of nutrient elements, water stress, stomatal physiology, plant hormones and growth regulators: potentials for their use in agriculture. 30 Hr (T); 45 Hr (P). Course Description: Course Description: The course introduces the advanced basic physiological processes affecting plant growth, development and productivity. The development and importance of soil water deficit along with the mechanisms of adaptation to water deficit in plants will be discussed. The mechanisms of dry matter production, degradation and release of energy will be discussed, emphasizing both the plant and environmental factors influencing these processes. The importance of plant nutrients metabolism with particular emphasis on nitrogen on plant productivity and the fixation of the atmospheric nitrogen as an important source of N to plants will be presented. Emphasis will be placed on plant productivity resulting from growth and development as influenced by the various physiological processes of photosynthesis, stomatal conductance and phytohormones.

Justification: Plant productivity is a result of delicate balance of complex anabolic and catabolic processes which are greatly influenced by the environment. The need for adequate food to feed a large population of human and animal necessitated the quest for higher crop yield. The knowledge of advanced basic anabolic and catabolic processes affecting dry matter production and hence crop yield is of paramount importance in human manipulation of crop plants for higher yields. This course is therefore pertinent for advancing the knowledge of Agronomy students in the basic physiological processes in plant growth and development. Course Objectives: The general objective of the course is to further increase the knowledge of the students in basic physiological processes in plant growth and development. At the end of the course, the students will be able to know: the development of water deficit in plants and the mechanisms of adaptation to water deficits. The physiology of stomata and the diurnal opening mechanisms in different plants. The importance of different phytohormones in plant growth and development. Course Requirements: This is an elective course. However, all students who register for the course must participate in all the activities and have a minimum attendance of 75% to be able to write the final examination. Practical classes will be conducted for the students who are expected to submit a written report thereafter. The students are also expected to treat the study questions and take the continuous assignment tests. Methods of Grading: ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------S/N Item Score (%) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1 Practical 10 2 Continuous Assessment Tests 20 3 Final Comprehensive Examination 70 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Total 100 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Course Delivery Strategies: The lecture will be delivered through the traditional face-to-face method. Theoretical material (lecture note) will be provided during the lecture and practical laboratory sessions. Students will be encouraged and required to read around the topics. The delivery strategies will also be supported by tutorial sessions and review of study questions. Practical Schedule: The practical session involves the introduction of students to the measurements of the physiological processes: Determination of physiological growth indices Evaluation of the effects of N on plant growth and development Reading List: Dutta, A.C. (1979). Botany for Degree Students (5th Edition). Oxford University Press. Fitter, A.H. and R.K.M. Hay (1987). Environmental Physiology of Plants (2nd Edition). Academic Press. London. New York. Toronto. Malcolm B. Wilkins (Ed) (1984). Advanced Plant Physiology. Longman Scientific & Technical. John Wiley & Sons Inc. New York. Coombs, J., D. O. Hall, S.P. Long and J.M.O. Scurlock (eds) (1985). Techniques in Bioproductivity and Photosynthesis (2nd Edition). Pergamon Press. Oxford. Hay, R.K.M. and J.R. Porter (1989). An Introduction to the Physiology of Crop Yield. Blackwell Publishing Inc. LECTURES: Week 1: Inorganic components of plants. Objective: To teach the students the various inorganic chemical compositions of plants and how they are determined Description: Chemical composition of the plant Chemical Analyses Water culture experiments

 Classification of elements Study Questions 1. Name and discuss the process by which various elements that have entered into the composition of the plant body and those essentially required by the plants may be determined. 2. By chemical analyses of a plant, we can find out the various elements that have entered into its composition. Describe the procedure for chemical analysis of a plant. 3. What do you understand by the concept of essentiality of nutrients in plants. 4. Distinguish between chemical analysis and water culture experiments.

Week 2: Role played by elements in plant body Objective: To teach the students the roles of the various elements in plant growth and development. Description Potassium, Magnesium, Calcium, Iron, Sulphur, Phosphorus Carbon, Nitrogen. Study Questions 1. What do you understand by Carbon cycle? Discuss the importance of carbon (C ) as a constituent of plant body. 2. Discuss the roles of any three (3) of the following elements (i) Nitrogen, (ii) Magnesium, (iii) Calcium, (iv) Carbon, (v) Zinc and (vi) Copper. 3. Explain briefly but accurately what you understand by Carbon cycle.

Week 3: Nitrogen of the soil Objective: To teach the students the importance of N and the fixation of atmospheric N into the soil.

Description Fixation of Atmospheric Nitrogen (i) Electric discharge (ii) Saprophytic bacteria of the soil (iii) Symbiotic bacteria- nodule bacteria (iv) Blue green algae. Nitrogen Cycle Reading List: Broughton, W.J. (ed) (1982). Nitrogen Fixation. Vol 2. Blackwell, Oxford. Gibson, A.H. and W.E. Newton (1981). Current Perspectives of Nitrogen Fixation. Australian Academy of Sciences, Camberra. Guttschick, V.P. (1981). Evolved strategies in nitrogen acquisition by plants. The American Naturalist 118:607-637.

Study Questions 1. List the methods by which atmospheric N may be fixed and discuss the process of nodulation in Symbiotic N- Fixation. 2. Discuss the process of nodule formation in plants giving adequate illustration. 3. (a) What do you understand by symbiotic nitrogen fixation (b) List the six Rhizobium group and mention a specific host in each group

Week 4: Water Stress and Plant Growth Objective: To teach the students about the development of water deficit by plants and the effects of water stress on plant processes. Description Definition Development of water stress Effect of water stress on plant growth (i) Effects on germination

(ii)

Effects on morphological growth characters.

Reading Lists 1. Kramer, P.J. (1983). Water Relations of Plants. Academic Press, New York. Study Questions 1. Marked reduction in leaf area is one of the most important consequences of the sensitivity of cell enlargement to water stress. Discuss. 2. What is water stress?. Discuss briefly the development of water stress over a long period. 3. Briefly discuss the causes and development of water deficit in plants 4.

Week 5: Effects of water stress of physiological growth processes Objective: To teach the students the effects of water stress on plant physiological processes: photosynthesis, respiration, stomatal behaviour etc.

Description Effects on photosynthesis Effects on Stomatal behaviour Effects on Respiration Effects on Translocation and partitioning of assimilates. Reading Lists 1. Kramer, P.J. (1983). Water Relations of Plants. Academic Press, New York. Study Questions 1. The development of water deficit leads to a wide range of responses, Discuss. 2. Discuss the effects of water stress on (i) Photosynthesis, (ii) Stomatal behaviour, (iii) Respriration and (iv) Translocation. 3. Discuss the general effects of water deficit on physiological processes.

Week 6: Mechanisms of adaptation to water deficit in plants. Objective: To teach the students various mechanisms of adaptation to water stress by plants. Description Terminologies Drought Escape Drought Tolerance with low plant water potential (i) Maintenance of turgor (ii) Desiccation Tolerance Reading List 1. Kramer, P.J. (1983). Water Relations of Plants. Academic Press, New York.

Study Questions 1. Enumerate the different mechanisms of adaptation to water stress in plants. 2. Discuss Drought Escape as a mechanism of adaptation to water stress. 3. Discuss briefly, the importance of osmotic adjustment in crop production under water-limiting conditions. 4. Enumerate in a tabular form, the various mechanisms of adaptation to water deficit in plants. 5. The most important physiological mechanism enabling plants to tolerate water stress is the lowering of osmotic potential, termed Osmoregulation, Discuss. Week 7: Mechanisms of adaptation to water deficit in plants contd. Objective: As in Week 6 Description Drought Tolerance with high plant water potential (i) Reduction of water loss (ii) Maintenance of water uptake Recovery from water deficit

Study Questions 1. Define or Explain the following terms : (a) Drought resistance, (b) Adaptation, (c) Drought escape, (d) Osmoregulation. 2. Discuss Reduction of water loss as a mechanism of adaptation to water stress in plants. 3. Discuss briefly, maintenance of water uptake as a mechanism of adaptation to water deficit.

Week 8: Gas Exchange and Stomatal Physiology Objective: To teach the students the physiology of stomata. Description Introduction Stomatal Physiology Morphology of stomata Study Questions 1. Write briefly on stomatal morphology and the distribution of stomata in plants. 2.

Week 9: Diurnal opening and closing of stomata Objective: To teach the students the mechanisms of stomatal opening in plants Description Idealized form of opening and closing Opening and closing in succulent plants Factors affecting stomatal opening and closing (i) Light (ii) Carbon dioxide concentration (iii) Water and Humidity (iv) Temperature (v) Environmental Interaction

Study Questions 1. Stomatal opening in succulent plants deviates from normal, discuss with adequate illustration. 2. The most important physiological feature of stomata is that they open in response to light and close in darkness. Discuss, giving adequate illustrations. 3. List all environmental factors affecting stomatal opening and discuss any three in full. 4. Discuss the diurnal opening and closing cycle of stomata in (i) normal plants and (ii) succulent plants, giving adequate illustrations.

Week 10: Mechanisms and measurement of stomatal opening Objective: To teach students the hypothesis of stomatal opening Description Mechanisms Hypothesis of stomatal opening Methods of measuring stomatal opening Study Questions 1. State the Scarth et al (1930s) classical hypothesis of stomatal opening and discuss the limitation of the hypothesis. 2. The classical hypothesis of stomatal opening as developed by Scarth et al in the 1930s is full of inconsistencies, Discuss. 3. Give a critical appraisal of the classical hypothesis of stomatal opening in plants.

Week 11: Plant Hormones and Growth Regulators Objective: To teach students plant hormones and their importance in agriculture. Description Definition Characteristics of plant hormones

 Classes of plant hormones Study Questions 1. What are phytohormones?. Discuss any named plant hormone under the following headings: (a) Occurrence, (b) Distribution in plants, (c) Roles in plant growth development. 2. List the five recognized classes of phytohormones and discuss any one in details.

Week 12: Potentials for the use of hormones in Agriculture Objective: To teach students about the potential uses of phytohormones in agriculture. Description Hormones and plant propagation Seed Dormancy Fruits storage and transportation Reading List Bearder, J.R. (1980). Plant hormones and other growth substances : their background, structures and occurrences. In Hormonal Regulation and Development I. Molecular Aspects of plant Hormones. Encyclopaedia of Plant Physiology New Science Series ed. J. Macmillan, Springer, Berlin. Vol 9: 9-112 Cohen, J.D. and R.S. Banderski (1982). Chemistry and Physiology of the Bond auxins. Ann Rew. Plant Physiol. 33:403-430. Crozier, A. ed (1983). The biochemistry and physiology of Gibberellins. Praeger Scientific, New York. Sembdner, G., D. Gross, H.W. Leibisch, and G. Schneider (1980). Biosynthesis and Metabolism of plant hormones. In Hormonal Regulation and Development I. Molecular Aspects of plant Hormones. Encyclopaedia of Plant Physiology New Science Series ed. J. Macmillan, Springer, Berlin. Vol 9: 219-444.

Study Questions 1. Briefly discuss thea roles of synthetic plant hormones or PGRs in plant propagation techniques from cuttings, grafting, micro-propagation and tissue culture. 2. Discuss the Gibberrelins Week 13: Assessment Test Objective: To assess the knowledge gained by students over the past 12 weeks. Study Questions 1. Discuss the concept of essentiality of elements in plant development. 2. Discuss the roles of any three of the following elements in plant growth: (a) Potassium, (b) Phosphorus (c) Nitrogen (d) Trace elements (e) Boron. 3. With the aid of a well labeled diagram, discuss the process of nodulation in a named legume plant. 4. Discuss the effects of water stress on plant growth and development under the following headings: (i) water stress and seed germination (ii) Effects on morphology 5. (a) Explain the following terms (i) adaptation (ii) drought resistance (b) Discuss the mechanisms of adaptation to water deficits in plants. 6. Discuss methods of measuring stomatal opening and gas transfer resistance. 7 List the environmental factors affecting stomatal opening and discuss in details any two of them. agricultural uses of Auxin and

8. Discuss the hypothesis of stomatal opening. 9. Discuss the occurrence and mechanisms of action of Auxins. 10. Give a critical appraisal of the hypothesis of stomatal opening as developed by Scarth et al in the 1930s. 11. What are hormones?. Discuss the importance of hormones in plant growth and development. 12 Discuss the cause and development of water deficit in plants at midday and over a log period.

Week 14-15: Revision/ Tutorial Classes Objective: To go over the knotty areas as identified by the students. Study Questions: 1. The various elements that have entered into the composition of a plant body may be determined by-------------------------- and those essentially required by the plant determined by ----------------------------------. 2. Proteins when analyzed are seen to contain--------------, -------------, ---------------------, --------------------- and often----------------------. The residue left combustion consists only of ---------------------which are incombustible and is known as----------------. 3. Fill in the most appropriate elements for the following roles: (a) Constituent of an amino acid, cystine --------------------------(b) Essential for the formation of chlorophyll -------------------(c) Useful in neutralizing acids------------------------------------(d) Helps in the synthesis of phospholipids ----------------------(e) Aids nutrition and hasten maturity and ripening of fruits----(f) Forms the bulk of dry matter-----------------------------------(g) Essentially a constituent of protoplasm------------------------(h) Essential constituent of protein, chlorophyll and protoplasm 4. The quality and quantity of growth depends on ------------------, ------------------, and --------------------------, all of which are known to be affected by-----------------5. Name the generally accepted five major classes of plant growth hormones.

6. In a tabular form, present the mechanisms of drought resistance in plants. 7. ------------------------- hormone induces ripening and causes leaves to drop (epinasty). 8. High concentration of ---------------------- in guard cells during period of drought stress probably play a role in stomatal closure. 9. The modification in structure and function that increases the probability that a crop will survive and reproduce in a particular environment is termed------------------------------------------. 10. The ability of a plant to complete its life cycle before onset of severe soil water deficit is ----------------------------------------. 11. Two examples of Turgor maintenance as a drought resistance mechanism are (i)------------------------------------------- and (ii) ----------------------------------------------------------. 12. The accumulation of solutes in response to water deficit is known as.---------------------------------------------------------.