Growth and Development of Horticultural crops
Course Overview
Growth and Development of Horticulture crops 3 (2+1)
Course Objectives
i. To understand the physiology of canopy management, flowering, fruit setting and seed development in horticultural crops ii. To impart basic knowledge on the natural phytohormones and their specific functions in controlling the growth and developments iii. To impart basic knowledge on the natural phytohormones and their specific functions in controlling the growth and developments iv. To understand the usage of synthetic growth regulators and their applications for overall manipulation of growth and development in horticultural crops
Theory Syllabus
Growth and development-definitions, components, photosynthetic productivity, Canopy photosynthesis and productivity, leaf area index (LAI) - optimum LAI in horticultural crops, canopy development; different stages of growth, growth curves, Crop development and dynamics (Case studies of annual/perennial horticultural crops), growth analysis in horticultural crops. Plant bio-regulators- auxin, gibberellin, cytokinin, ethylene inhibitors and retardants, basic functions, biosynthesis, role in crop growth and development, propagation, flowering, fruit setting, fruit thinning, fruit development, fruit drop, and fruit ripening. Flowering-factors affecting flowering, physiology of flowering, photoperiodism-long day, short day and day neutral plants, vernalization and its application in horticulture, pruning and training physiological basis of training and pruning- source and sink relationship, translocation of assimilates. Physiology of seed development and maturation, seed dormancy and bud dormancy, causes and breaking methods in horticultural crops. Physiology of fruit growth and development, fruit setting, factors affecting fruit set and development, physiology of ripening of fruits-climatic and non-climacteric fruits. Physiology of fruits under post- harvest storage.
Practical Syllabus
Estimation of photosynthetic potential of horticultural crops, leaf area index, growth analysis parameters including harvest index, bioassay of plant hormones, identification of synthetic plant hormones and growth retardants, preparations of hormonal solution and induction of rooting in cuttings, ripening of fruits and control of flower and fruit drop. Important physiological disorders and their remedial measures in fruits and vegetables, seed dormancy, seed germination and breaking seed dormancy with chemicals and growth regulators.
Suggested Readings
1. Jain V K. 2006. Fundamentals of Plant Physiology (9th Edn.). S, Chand and Co., New Delhi, India.
2. Mohr H and Schopfer P. 1995. Plant Physiology. Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Germany.
3. Richard P Marini: Physiology of Pruning Fruit Trees. http://pubs.ext.vt.edu/422/422-025/422-025.htmlTOC.
4. Salisbury F B and Ross C W. 1992. Plant Physiology (4th Edn.). Wadworth Publishing Co., California, USA.
5. Taiz L and Zeiger E. 2003. Plant Physiology (3rd Edn.). Sinaure Associates, Inc., Publishers, Massachusetts, USA.