CHAPTER: 1
Introduction
to Plant Physiology
How
plants do things :
–
Interact with
water, minerals (tissues & cells)
–
Interconvert
energy (light, chemical forms)
–
Make chemical
compounds
–
Control what
goes on chemically in cells
–
Respond to the
environment
–
Develop from
seeds into trees (etc.)
How
plants work or functions:
–
The physiology
of nutrition and metabolism which deals with the uptake, transformations, and
release of materials, and also their transportation within and between the
cells and organs of the plant;
–
The physiology
of growth, development, and reproduction, which is concerned with these aspects
of plant function; and
–
Environmental physiology, which seeks to
understand the manifold responses of plants to the environment.
Relationship
between plant physiology and other subjects:
• Basic sciences: botany，biochemistry，biophysics，molecular
biology, computer science.
• Relative subjects: genetics, cell biology,
ecology, chemistry.
• Later subjects: function genomics of plant, gene
transform in plant, plant culture and breeding etc.
Scope
of Plant Physiology:
•
In agriculture
fields
•
In
horticulture
•
In forestry
•
In medicine
•
In food
production
•
In textiles
•
In timber and
wood industry
Applications
of Plant Physiology:
•
In increasing
agricultural productivity
•
In production
of food
•
Producing
fodder for cattle
•
Producing
fibers for clothing
•
Producing wood
for furniture and building purposes.
•
In control of
soil fertility, pollution & mineral requirements
•
Applied in
genetic engineering
•
In breeding
technology
•
In soil management
•
In seed
treatment
Ø The knowledge of soil-water plant relationship &
effective & efficient use of nutrients enhances crop productivity.
Ø The knowledge of photoperiodism & vernalization
process helps to cultivate the off-season crop plant.
