SylbV01-00-00. pmd

I. Course Title
: Tree Physiology and Forest Productivity
II. Course Code
: FBT 607
III. Credit Hours
: 2+1
IV. Aim of the course
To make the students understand the physiological factors responsible for the tree
growth and how CO
2
fixation and consumption lead to growth.
V. Theory
Unit I
Introduction, tree forms in relation to environmental factors mechanism responsible
for differences in tree forms stand structure and micro-climate.
Sr. No.
Topic
No. of Lecture(s)

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Restructured and Revised Syllabi of Post-graduate Programmes
Vol. 1
614
Unit II
Carbon fixation by tree canopies, leaf area, interception of solar radiation and tree
growth. Leaf area index and dry matter production. Radiation attenuation through
canopies strategies for maximising solar energy utilization, stomatal conductance.
Unit III
Carbon consumption and export, carbon balance in trees, canopy photosynthesis.
Transport and partitioning. Factors influencing net photosynthesis in trees.
Relationship between the CO
2
compensation point and carbon fixation efficiency in
trees. Physiology of formation of early and late woods. Resource sharing in mixed
agroforestry system.
Unit IV
Evapo-transpiration factors affecting evapo-transpiration. Potential evapo-
transpiration. Moisture stress, osmotic adjustment stomatal response to moisture
stress. Water use efficiency drought tolerance.
Unit V
Biochemical and molecular aspects, water logging, physiology of resistance to water
logging. Salt and ion stress.
Unit VI
Avoidance and tolerance mechanisms. Temperature stress, low temperature
stress,physiology of resistance to frost. Heat stress, heat injury, heat avoidance
and tolerance mechanism, Radiation stress, mechanism of shade tolerance,
Physiological basis of pollution stress, Ozone injury Acid rain, Heavy metals.
VI. Practical
• Chlorophyll stability index;
• Leaf water potential by pressure bomb technique – porometry steady state
porometer;
• Leaf temperature, transpiration rate;
• Stomatal resistance and conductance;
• Seed germination test for drought, tolerance and pre-treatment of seeds for drought
tolerance;
• Water use efficiency;
• Measurement of photosynthesis.