HPC-22803 Concepts in Environmental Plant Physiology

Course

Credits 3.00

Language of instruction:

English

Assumed knowledge on:

PPH-10806 Structure and Function of Plants; PCB-10803 Reproduction of Plants

Continuation courses:

HPC-20306; HPC-21306 Crop Ecology; CWE-32806 Designing Systainable Cropping Systems

Contents:

Within this course and its main topic 'functioning of plants in their (physical) environment', special attention will be given to photosynthesis and water relations of plants in changing climates (Light, CO2 and water). This course has a strong focus on learning methods that enables students to make prior acquired knowledge of physiology of plants applicable in ecological and agricultural research and practice. Students will learn how to build meaningful integrated concepts that combine knowledge from the domains plant physiology and environmental physics. These concepts, aim to help students to better understand the complexity of plant environment systems and ultimately can be used to build creative ideas for research as well as practical applications in the field of plant production.
Key words: Light, CO2, Water, Photosynthesis, Adaptation, Acclimation, Integrated Concepts, Qualitative to Quantitative.

Learning outcomes:

After the course the students:
- will have acquired and/or revitalised knowledge on elementary chemistry and physics to explain and develop concepts that are key to an understanding of various areas of environmental plant physiology;
- will be able to do calculations to quantify key processes;
- will be able to combine prior acquired knowledge on plant physiology and environmental physics into meaningful integrated concepts;
- will have acquired insight in important interactions between plants and their physical environment that are essential for plant functioning, plant productivity and survival;
- will be able to build concept maps (graphical representation of interlinked knowledge of different domains) of interactions between the physical climate and plant functioning.

Activities:

Preparing for(!) and attending lectures, reading and processing scientific literature to prepare for practical assignments, participation in practical's and tutorials, preparing written and oral presentations on practical assignments, individual or small group assignment, self study.

Examination:

Written exam (50%), Assessment of practical report (25%), Assessment of Individual/Small Group Assignment (25%).

Literature:

Written course materials of PPH-10806 Structure and Function of Plants.
Selected Chapters from Physicochemical and Environmental Plant Physiology (Nobel, 2005) For students available online within WUR (2007).
Selected review articles (e.g. Trends in Plant Science etc).