HPC-31806 Advanced Methods for Plant-Climate Research in Controlled Environments

Course

Credits 6.00

Language of instruction:

English

Assumed knowledge on:

HPC-22803 Concepts in Environmental Plant Physiology; HPC-20306 Physiology and Development of Plants in Horticulture.

Continuation courses:

MSc-Thesis HPC-80424 - HPC 80439 MSc Thesis Horticulture and Product Physiology.

Contents:

This advanced course in environmental plant and crop physiology aims on strengthening and deepening the knowledge and skills of students interested in plant-environment interactions in controlled environments such as are present in modern horticultural production chains and in research. This course is intended for students that plan to do their MSc-thesis research at the HPC-group, but might be also be interesting for students attracted to experimenting with plant-environment interactions and plant phenotyping. Focus will be on understanding plant and crop behaviour via measuring, analysing and modelling physical and physiological processes, which significantly influence plant growth and performance in environments with a high degree of controllability (e.g. greenhouses, plant factories, growth environments for research). Special attention will be paid on the factor light (duration, periodicity, intensity and spectrum; of natural light and artificial light (e.g. by LEDs)) and the effects of extreme climates that might occur in these environments (e.g. high CO2-concentration, high humidity, 24h light). Measuring and characterising light and other climate- and plant-variables (plant temperature) will be discussed in detail, as well as photosynthesis, water relations and other for plant production relevant physiological processes. Main focus will be on the influence of the aerial climate. Students will practise with acquisition, analysing and modelling and integrating data in conceptual frameworks related to real world research projects at HPC.

Learning outcomes:

After successful completion of this course students are expected to be able to: - mention the pros and cons of using controlled plant growth environments in relation to specific research questions or horticultural production goals;
- analyse and explain the impact of physical properties of different types of growth-environments, including their control equipment (e.g. different types of lamps, heaters, coolers, (de) humidifiers) on the microclimate of the plants or crop it contains;
- make all necessary calculations to substantiate decisions on which equipment should be used for climate control in experiments taking into account the research goals as well as economical, technical and physical limitations and boundary conditions;
- use common and advanced methods for measuring microclimates and related plant variables (e.g. Air and Plant/organ temperature, Light, Air Humidity, Windspeed), understand pros and cons of specific equipment and its assumptions and limitations;
- mention the relevant differences between common and new artificial light sources used for plant growth (Fluorescent tubes, High-pressure sodium lamps versus different types of LEDs);
- measure, analyse and explain light environments (mixed and pure daylight/artificial light environments) with respect to intensity, spectrum and duration. Correctly use terminology and units related to radiometry and photometry and make conversions. Explain the differences between different type of 'light' meters (e.g. PAR-sensor, Photospectrometer), their aims and usability in specific experiments;
- calculate and explain the backgrounds and meaning of derived parameters such as R/FR ratio's, phytochrome stationary states (PSS) and specific wavelength fractions (e.g. blue light) for physiological plant responses;
- name the essential components, build-up and use gas-exchange measurement setups for photosynthesis, transpiration and leaf (stomatal conductance) measurements, taken into account the dimensions, needs and possibilities of a particular experimental setup. Make essential calculations from raw measured data into established units for photosynthesis and transpiration, including corrections related to system leaks and transpiration;
- explain the theoretical backgrounds of chlorophyll-fluorescence (CF) measurements;
- derive parameters from the raw CF-measurements and explain how leaf photosynthesis can be estimated from these parameters, including assumptions and limitations;
- understand, execute and explain several common and new measuring protocols to derive physiological meaningful information from GE and CF-measurements on plants (e.g. Light Response Curves, A-Ci-curves, dark respiration (RD) in dark and light, spatial resolved variation in stomatal conductance);
- understand and explain the relationship between these advanced protocols and models for photosynthesis (such as for instance the Farquhar-von Caemmerer-Berry (FvCB) biochemical model of photosynthesis). - explain the potential and importance of physical-physiological measurements for plant phenotyping and new phenotyping systems.

Activities:

- attending lectures;
- participation in tutorials and practical's;
- preparing written reports of tutorials and practical.

Examination:

- 25% practical report;
- 75% written exam.

Literature:

Study-guide
Syllabus
Scientific Papers.