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Spring. 3 credits. Prerequisite: plant physiology course (BIOPL 242 or 342) or permission of instructor. M W F 12:20.
T.L. Setter.
Study of environmental constraints on crop-plant productivity from the perspective of key biological processes. Examines acclimation responses and genetic adaptation for temperature, light, water, compacted soil, and mineral-limited nutrient environments. Topics include photosynthesis and nitrogen assimilation, phloem translocation and partitioning; canopy-scale influences on solar radiation use efficiency; regulation of growth processes in leaf, root, and floral/fruit/grain sinks in response to environment; seed set; water transport and stomatal regulation; root architecture and function, behavior in water-limited situations. Students will develop an ability to identify processes which are in need of improvement through optimization of crop cultural practices or genetic change.