Plant Physiology: Theory and Applications

Description

This thoroughly revised and updated edition provides an accessible overview of the rapidly advancing field of plant physiology. Key topics covered include absorption of water, ascent of sap, transpiration, mineral nutrition, fat metabolism, enzymes and plant hormones. Separate chapters are included on photosynthesis, respiration and nitrogen metabolism, and emphasis is placed on their contribution to food security, climate resilient farming (or climate-smart agriculture) and sustainable development. There is also a chapter on the seminal contributions of plant physiologists. Supported by the inclusion of laboratory experimental exercises and solved numerical problems, the text emphasises the conceptual framework, for example, in coverage of topics such as thermodynamics, water potential gradients and energy transformation during metabolic processes, water use efficiency (WUE) and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). Bringing together the theoretical and practical details, this text is accessible, self-contained and student-friendly. Cover Front Matter Plant Physiology: Theory and Applications Copyright Contents Foreword Preface to the Second Edition Preface to the First Edition Acknowledgements Some Common Abbreviations used in the Text Abbreviations for Units Unit I: Water and Mineral Translocation in Plants 1 Plant–Water Relations 2 Absorption and Translocation of Water 3 Transpiration 4 Mineral Nutrition and Absorption Unit II: Metabolism and Bioenergetics 5 Concepts of Metabolism 6 Enzymes 7 Photosynthesis 8 Carbohydrate Metabolism 9 Respiration 10 Nitrogen Metabolism 11 Lipid Metabolism 12 Sulphur, Phosphorus and Iron Assimilation in Plants 13 Phloem Transport Unit III: Growth and Development 14 Dormancy, Germination and Flowering 15 Plant Photoreceptors 16 Plant Hormones and Signal Transduction 17 Ripening, Senescence and Cell Death Unit IV: Physiological Stress and Secondary Metabolites – Their Role in Metabolism 18 Abiotic and Biotic Stress 19 Secondary Plant Metabolites Unit V: Crop Physiology – An Innovative Approach 20 Agricultural Implications of Plant Physiology Unit VI: Breakthroughs in Plant Physiology 21 Seminal Contributions of Plant Physiologists Unit VII: Some Experimental Exercises 23 Experimental Exercises Glossary References Index Colour Plates