PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY(SBA 3250) [45 LH]
PURPOSE OF THE COURSE
To acquaint learners with information and knowledge on physiological and biochemical processes of crops and their relationship to growth, development, yield and quality.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of this course, the learner should be able to:
- Outline physiological processes in plants
- Describe and measure plant growth and development.
- Demonstrate knowledge on the metabolism, physical and chemical properties and tests of carbohydrates, proteins, lipids and nucleic acids
- Utilize plant growth regulators/hormones during crop production.
- Handle key equipments used in physiological and biochemical measurements.
COURSE CONTENT
Definition of Physiology. Physiological process and their influence of growth and yield of crops: Gas exchange, transpiration, photosynthesis, respiration. Crop water relations: Crop water use, crop water status, stomatal and osmotic adjustment. Crop responses to water deficit: deep roots, leaf area regulation. Crop response to environmental conditions: Light and temperature. Metabolism of compounds. Water and nutrient absorption. Plant growth regulators and hormones. Physiology of seeds: Seed dormancy, seed germination. Growth and development of crops. Introduction to plant biochemistry. Basic molecules of life, carbohydrates, proteins, lipids nucleic acids: Their physical and chemical properties, their metabolism. The biochemistry of photosynthesis: Chlorophyll molecule, photosynthetic reactions. C3, C4 and CAM pathways. Biological nitrogen fixation,