Course: Ecophysiology of Crops in the Tropics and Subtropics (3803-431)

Persons:

• Priv. Doz. Dr. Holger Brück (verantwortlich)
• Prof. Dr. Folkard Asch (verantwortlich)

Type of Course:

lecture with exercise

In-Class Hours Per Week:

5

Contents:

The module comprises of three parts after a general introduction to the topics and structure of the module
(1) knowledge acquisition through lectures (5 afternoons)
(2) practical exercises on plant parameters related to the hydrological cycle (6 afternoons)
(3) Seminar presentations and discussions (5 afternoons)

(1) the lectures will cover in-depth climatic and ecophysiological aspects of cropping systems and crops in the Tropics and Subtropics. Emphasis will be put on plant x environment interactions and abiotic stresses.

(2) In greenhouse exercises all plant parameters related to physiological responses of plants to sub-optimal conditions will be studied. Exercises include root hydraulic properties, salinity stress, light and photosynthesis, plant sampling procedures and plant water relations. Data collected from the exercises will be used for exemplary data analyses.

(3) Students will prepare seminar topics based on important tropical crops or cropping systems. Focus will be on ecophysiological requirements of specific crop plants. Subjects will cover legumes, C3 and C4 species, oil crops, fiber crops, cereals and plantation crops

The grade will be composed of quality and content of the oral presentation, quality and comprehensibility of the handout, application of acquired knowledge and participation in the discussion and the results of the final written exam.

Literature:

Larcher - Physiological Plant ecology
Taiz and Zeiger - Plant Physiology
Ahrens - Meteorology today

Location:

Hohenheim

Remarks:

last update 01/2011

Module:

• 3803-430 Ecophysiology of Crops in the Tropics and Subtropics (compulsory)