The introduction to the physiology of crop growth in relation to the environment; macro-climatic and micro-climatic influence.
Inter – and intra-plant competition.

COURSE OUTIINE

 1.  MEASUREMENT OF CROP GROWTH

       Gas analysis and growth analysis

 2.   THE PHYSIOLOGICAL BASIS OF CROP YIELD

      Factors affecting the size, efficiency and duration of  the photosynthetic system.  Respiration,
      carbohydrate utilization.  The radiation environment, efficiency of light utilization.  Harvest index,
      partitioning of dry matter. Sources of DH 1n the grain of cereals. Crop ideotypes.

3. WATER AND CROP GROWTH, DEVELOPMENT AND YIELD

The availability of moisture.  Evapotranspiration; water-use efficiency (WUE); measurement of evapotranspiration. Water  stress; physiological effects; measurement of water stress; Management practices for increasing WUE. Management practices for improving water supply to the crop; increasing water storage in the root zone; decreasing evapotranspiratory losses. Adaptation to dry conditions.  Assessment of availability of water for cropping; nature and length of the growing season, stress days, probability of occurrence.  Water relations of maize; relationships between yield and water stress, avoidance of stress.

4.   TEMPERATURE AND CROP GROWTH DEVELOPMENT AND YIELD
The temperature environment. The normal role of temperature and temperature requirements. Mechanisms of temperature stress. Resistance to temperature extremes. Disorders associated with high and low temperatures. Development stages and temperature requirement/ response. Temperature   adapttation/response of specific crops.

5. TISSUE CULTURE

Potential of tissue culture. importing germplasm, virus elimination, micropropagation, genetic improvement, anther culture.  Culture technique, media sterilization, asepsis plus short history. Several examples including: cassava, potato, strawberry, tobacco.

6. PLANT INTERACTIONS

Nature of plant interactions.  Effect of plant density.  Effect of plant arrangement.  Competition for nutrients, water and light.  Plant interactions in mixed communities: crop-weed situation, mixed cropping. Competitive abaility.