Growth Increase in plant height or weight, where dry matter is weighed Dry matter of plant material is obtained by oven-drying

ng the plants and so all in being weighed except for the H2O ie. The udomin, mineral,cellulose (fibre), protein and sugar contents of the plant material A plant's growth rate increases as leaf area increases and the amount of photosynthesis increases

Photosynthesis

Fundamental process which all living organisms depend on for their food supply Process where plants capture solar energy and convert it into glucose (a chemical full of energy that can be moved around the plant to where it is needed or stored) to be used as energy for the plant or stored Occurs in the chloroplasts of the leaves

Importance of Photosynthesis Photosynthesis converts solar energy to chemical energy stored in sugar Carbon from CO2 and H from H2O produce the energy-rich carbohydrate glucose In plants the glucose improves growth as it -1. Used in cellular respiration 2. Converted to starch for storage 3. Converted to oil for storage 4. Converted to cellulose for cell walls

Light energy is converted into available chemical energy in the presence of chlorophyll pigments Many chemical reactions occur in definite sequences or biochemical pathways -- the overall equation is: o 6CO2 + H2O --> (Light Energy/Chloropyll) C6H12O6 + 6O2 + 6H2O

Rate of photosynthesis controlled by complex interactions between critical factors: Light intensity Carbon dioxide Concentration near the plant surface Availability of water Temperature Respiration The energy trapped in glucose during photosynthesis is released for use by the plant, through cellular respiration Cellular respiration releases ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate) molecules from glucose ATP molecules are the form of energy that the plants can use to fuel other biochemical reactions in the plant cells (e.g. protein formation, cellulose or fibre formation, bud formation, flowering cell division) To maintain the complex chemical reactions of living cells (metabolism) a continuous supply of energy is required; this is obtained from a series of enzyme-controlled reactions known as respiration -- reverse of photosynthesis and produces chemical energy.

Importance of Respiration The glucose (from photosynthesis) is oxidised to release useable energy This energy fuels the maintenance needs and growth of the plant Plant growth includes increase in leaf area, stem growth, root growth, flower and fruit production Factors that affect respiration are: Availability of glucose: This is influenced by the rate of photosynthesis. Temperature: The rate of respiration in cells increases until 40C, then drops dramatically until a point where there is no respiration at 48 C. Availability of oxygen: Oxygen is an essential input for respiration, so low levels of oxygen will decrease the rate of respiration. Net Assimilation Rate (NAR) A measure of plant growth -- Photosynthesis Respiration = NAR It is the average increase in dry matter per unit of leaf material in a given period (e.g. dry matter/week) Determines the productivity of a crop or pasture plant Factors which affect NAR include: Rate of photosynthesis Rate of respiration Availability of inorganic nutrients (NPK, S) Ratio of photosynthetic to non-photosynthetic tissue: Length of day Size of leaves Arrangement of leaves on plant Stage of plant development

Relationships between Photosynthesis, Respiration and NAR Sugar (glucose) produced through photosynthesis that is excess to the normal maintenance needs (just enough energy to keep the plant healthy but not growing of the plant's cells can be respired to release energy for growth i.e. Synthesis of protein, cellulose, cell division. Differences between the rates of photosynthesis and respiration determine the yield of a crop -- measurements of changes in dry weight of samples taken from crop indicate relationships between these processes Light Intensity As intensity increases so does photosynthetic rate to a point where it plateaus (limiting value). The effect is different for different plants. E.g. Ferns prefer a shady environment. C3 plants are temperate species e.g. wheat, oats, soyabeans. C4 plants are tropical species that utilise higher light intensities; ie. Higher light intensity capacity e.g. maize, sorghum Acknowledgement of these factors can be used in species selection and planting times for different trees, Shadecloth can be used to manipulate light intensity.

Temperature Temperate species have maximum rates around 25OC after which growth declines. Tropical species maximise growth at high temperatures (providing other factors aren't limiting). This potential is due to their more efficient C4 photosynthetic pathway. Note that C3 plants continue to grow at low temperatures where C4 plants are dormant.

Frosts can destroy plant tissue and kill susceptible plants. Minimum temperatures must be reached before seeds will germinate. Mulching reduces soil temperature fluctuations and conserves soil moisture.

Plants can be divided into two groups based on the differences between their photosynthetic systems. C3 plants have a three-carbon system, whereas C4 plants use a four-carbon system. In climates of high temperatures, C4 plants photosynthesise much more efficiently than C3 plants. Many tropical plants such as sugar cane use C4 systems. CO2 concentration Larger amounts of CO2 can increase the rate of photosynthesis up to a level of 0.07% (normal at 0.03%), from which the rate remains constant. This relationship can be stated: as [CO2] increases, the photosynthetic rate will increase at a decreasing rate. On a small scale in a glass house, a farmer can pump excess CO2 gas into the system On a large scale, the density at which the crop is planted is important as competition for available carbon dioxide increases with density.

Available moisture/H2O Water is an integral part of photosynthesis so a shortage of water will lead to decreased levels of photosynthesis. Complete lack of water results in wilting and death. Irrigation is a common option to farmers to supplement for natural rainfall. Some varieties are drought tolerant Biotic factors ie. Genetic potential, pests and diseases Pests and diseases can have from no effect to a great impact on the photosynthesis levels of the plant, depending on which parts of the plant are affected. For example, damage to leaves would cause more damage to the plants ability to photosynthesise, than damage to the flowers. Species may vary in ability to facilitate photosynthesis. This involves the genetic potential of various species which can adapt to the environment in which they are developed. Wheat Temperate climates Mineral Nutrients Phosphorous is important for the capturing and transfer of energy in photosynthesis. Magnesium is important of the chlorophyll molecule that initially traps the light energy. A lack of these minerals will lead to a decreased rate of photosynthesis. Sugar cane Tropical Climates

Biosynthesis Ability to metabolise various compounds is genetically controlled. Plant breeders often attempt to obtain new genotypes for improvement of oil quality, different amino acid compositions of cereal grains, flavour and storage of fruits etc. Biosynthesis encompasses the complex biochemical reactions which contribute to formation of new compounds in cells Major group of organic compounds which accumulate in plant tissues are carbohydrates, proteins and lipids o Carbohydrates -- Compounds containing C, H, O and sugar units o Protein -- Includes enzymes, contain C, H, O and N assembled on ribosomes of cells in combinations of amino acids. Like animals, plants also synthesise all amino acids required for proteins. 'Raw materials' for amino acid syntheses include inorganic soil nitrogen sources (NO3- and NH4+) and metabolic intermediates such as organic acids which can be gained from respiratory reactions o Lipid production -- Includes fats, oils , phospholipids (important in cell membranes) and waxes (vary in chemical composition) in plants -- provide protective coating called cuticle preventing water loss and inhibit pathogens -- contain C,H and O and are esters of three fatty acid molecules joined to alcohol (glycerol)

Plants also produce a large range of non-protein nitrogenous compounds. Genetic material in chromosomes and other cell organelles consist of nucleic acids, DNA and RNA - consists of polymer of 4 kinds of nucleotide subunits containing a sugar, phosphoric acid and nitrogen base Many compounds called alkaloids are produced in large amounts which exerts powerful physiological effects on animals

Application Rates of Artificial Fertilisers Nitram (or nitrogen fertiliser) NPK : Nitrogen (150 kg/ha) Urea: 20 kg/ha Superphosphate : Phosphorous (250 kg/ha) Lime : Controls Acidity (8 tonnes/ha); adjusts the PH of the soil i.e. if lime is added to acidic soil i.e. it reduces its acidity, that is, it makes it less acidic and more alkaline. It lowers the pH. Lime is white in colour. Gypsum : Improves soil structure and aeration, Increases water penetration, Helps root development