Physiology of Plant Production
A.Y. 2021/2022
Learning objectives
Critical understanding of the logic of growth, cell differentiation and development of plants in relation to the main cell and organs functions: photosynthesis, oxygen consumption, mineral nutrition, imposition of stressful conditions.
Expected learning outcomes
Identification of the critical aspects of plant qualitative and quantitative production also in relation to the interaction with the environment, design of improvements by means of chemical, physical, biological actions. Tools for critical participation to the evolution of knowledge.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
In the current situation, due to the Covid-19 emergency, It is expected that the teaching can be carried out, in compliance with the regulations, both remotely and in presence. If changes occur, teaching will be promptly adapted to the indications of the competent authorities.
The teaching is held synchronously by using the MS Teams platform, the lessons use presentations prepared from texts books, scientific and review articles. All the materials are present on Ariel.
Practical activities and exercises consist in activities carried out remotely and synchronously sing presentations using the MS Teams presentations carrying out assessment and calculations involving students and using JoVe videos. The material is present in Ariel
The teaching is held synchronously by using the MS Teams platform, the lessons use presentations prepared from texts books, scientific and review articles. All the materials are present on Ariel.
Practical activities and exercises consist in activities carried out remotely and synchronously sing presentations using the MS Teams presentations carrying out assessment and calculations involving students and using JoVe videos. The material is present in Ariel
Course syllabus
The energy conversion. Photosynthetic carbon fixation: Eco-physiology of photosynthesis. Thermodynamics of photosynthesis: cost of C3, C4 and CAM plants carbon fixation. Crop yield and productivity. Physiology of productivity and carbon fixation. Role of Stomata in photosynthesis carbon assimilation. Photosynthesis and water transpiration. Photorespiration. Photo-inhibition. Carbohydrate transport and partitioning. Relationship between photosynthesis and mineral plant nutrition (CFU 1,25).
Roles of respiration and oxygen uptake in plants. Role biosynthetic of respiration in plant. Cyanide resistant oxidases. Non mitochondrial oxygen uptakes: micro-bodies, plasma membrane, cytoplasm. Lipid use and gluconeogenesis during seed germination. Seed maturation and germination. Seed germination and metabolic reactivation of plasma-membrane ad metabolism (CFU 0,50)
Uptake and assimilation of mineral nutrients. Thermodynamics, kinetics and biochemical aspect of membrane transport and its role in plant physiology. Uptake of nitrogen sulfur and phosphorus. Assimilation of nitrogen, sulphur and phosphate. Integration with carbohydrate metabolism. (CFU 1,5)
Adaptations strategies. Growth and development. Morphogenesis and photo-morphogenesis. Plant growth regulators and hormones. Signal perception and transduction. Stress physiology. Role of stress in crop yield. Water deficit and stress. Stress by low and high temperature, low oxygen availability, nutritional, biotic. Tolerance mechanisms for stresses. (CFU 1.25)
Natural products and natural metabolites. Characteristic of natural metabolites: physiological role and biosynthesis (CFU 0,5).
Practical activities in laboratory: Photosynthesis, respiration, membrane transport. (CFU 1)
Roles of respiration and oxygen uptake in plants. Role biosynthetic of respiration in plant. Cyanide resistant oxidases. Non mitochondrial oxygen uptakes: micro-bodies, plasma membrane, cytoplasm. Lipid use and gluconeogenesis during seed germination. Seed maturation and germination. Seed germination and metabolic reactivation of plasma-membrane ad metabolism (CFU 0,50)
Uptake and assimilation of mineral nutrients. Thermodynamics, kinetics and biochemical aspect of membrane transport and its role in plant physiology. Uptake of nitrogen sulfur and phosphorus. Assimilation of nitrogen, sulphur and phosphate. Integration with carbohydrate metabolism. (CFU 1,5)
Adaptations strategies. Growth and development. Morphogenesis and photo-morphogenesis. Plant growth regulators and hormones. Signal perception and transduction. Stress physiology. Role of stress in crop yield. Water deficit and stress. Stress by low and high temperature, low oxygen availability, nutritional, biotic. Tolerance mechanisms for stresses. (CFU 1.25)
Natural products and natural metabolites. Characteristic of natural metabolites: physiological role and biosynthesis (CFU 0,5).
Practical activities in laboratory: Photosynthesis, respiration, membrane transport. (CFU 1)
Prerequisites for admission
Morphological and functional organization of the plant. General and inorganic chemistry: chemistry of the elements components of living organisms. Chemistry of the organic molecules components of living organisms. Physics: general knowledge of dynamics of fluids, kinetic theory of gases, thermodynamics, electric potentials and currents, electromagnetic waves. Biochemistry: general knowledge of metabolic pathways, protein biosynthesis and other molecules components of living organisms.
Teaching methods
The teaching is carried out essentially through lectures, consisting of critical illustration of slides developed by the teacher on the basis of l texts and paper published on international publications. Practical activities in laboratory are planned.
Teaching Resources
The slides illustrated and discussed in class are available on the Ariel website of the University. Scientific articles in English concerning aspects of particular interest are also provided. The following texts are suggested:
- Plant Physiology and Development - Sixth Edition. Lincoln Taiz, Eduardo Zeiger, Ian M. Møller, and Angus Murphy. 2014. ISBN: 9781605352558
- Biochemistry & Molecular Biology of Plants - 2nd Edition. Bob B. Buchanan (Editor), Wilhelm Gruissem (Editor), Russell L. Jones (Editor). 2015. ISBN: 978-0-470-71421-8
- Physicochemical and Environmental Plant Physiology, 5nd Edition. Park S. Nobel. 2020. 2020 Elsevier Inc, ISBN: 978-0-12-819146-0
- Plant Physiology and Development - Sixth Edition. Lincoln Taiz, Eduardo Zeiger, Ian M. Møller, and Angus Murphy. 2014. ISBN: 9781605352558
- Biochemistry & Molecular Biology of Plants - 2nd Edition. Bob B. Buchanan (Editor), Wilhelm Gruissem (Editor), Russell L. Jones (Editor). 2015. ISBN: 978-0-470-71421-8
- Physicochemical and Environmental Plant Physiology, 5nd Edition. Park S. Nobel. 2020. 2020 Elsevier Inc, ISBN: 978-0-12-819146-0
Assessment methods and Criteria
The oral examination is structured in 5 open questions on different subjects of the course. Each question is evaluated with a score from 0/30 to 6/30. The overall score is given by the sum of each application ones. For the evaluation are considered different aspects, such as the accuracy of the response, the terminology used to define the process and the level of depth of the answer. Moreover, the synthesis capacity and the critical view of the topics will be evaluated.
AGR/13 - AGRICULTURAL CHEMISTRY - University credits: 6
Laboratories: 16 hours
Lessons: 40 hours
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
Espen Luca
Professor(s)
Reception:
On Fridays from 9.00 to 12.00 or by appointment.
At the office or via MS Teams.