A Textbook of Crop Physiology
Contents: 1. Introduction. 2. Seed physiology. 3. Seed viability and vigour. 4. Growth and development. 5. Crop water relations. 6. How do materials pass through membranes? 7. Absorption of water and mineral elements by plants. 8. The ascent of sap. 9. Organic transport in plants. 10. Transpiration. 11. Photosynthesis: introduction. 12. Photosynthetic apparatus: chloroplast. 13. Photosystems in chloroplast. 14. Photoionization and photophosphorylation. 15. Path of carbon. 16. Cam plants. 17. The photorespiratory carbon oxidation cycle. 18. Dry matter partitioning and crop productivity. 19. Method of measuring photosynthesis. 20. Respiration: the second energy transduction. 21. Nutriophysiology. 22. Hydroponics. 23. Photoperiodism. 24. Plant growth regulators. 25. Auxins. 26. Gibberellins. 27. Cytokinins: juvenile hormones. 28. Ethylene: fruit ripening hormone. 29. Abscisic acid. 30. Commercial applications of plant growth regulators. 31. Senescence: a suicidal impulse. 32. Abscission. 33. Post harvest physiology. 34. Seed dormancy. 35. Fruit ripening. 36. Stress physiology.
Crop physiology is important to appreciate the structural economy or the efficiency of biological structures. The chloroplast and mitochondria are submicroscopic organelles, which bring about energy conversions so efficiently that man, made solar panels; hydroelectric and atomic power plants are far less efficient in terms of ratio of energy generated per unit space. Thus, Crop physiology offers an opportunity to view this intricate and finely interwoven fabric of interplay of functions- the gossamer of life.
Crop physiology has remained very fascinating on account of its extra and sometimes sole emphasis on understanding the basic principles like structure-function relationship, energy-function relationship, and physico-chemical explanations of functional manifestations and molecular basis of cellular regulation. It has always enriched the treasure of knowledge and elevated human minds with the joy of enlightenment. Hence, Crop physiology is the investigation of the plant processes driving growth, development, and economic production by crop plants.
