Physiological and biochemical principles related to production by crop canopies. Carbon fixation, leaf area, light interception, assimilate distribution, water relations and nutrient utilization are used to develop solutions to problems of crop yield and quality. Growth and development in response to cultural innovations including the use of growth regulators are also considered. Departments of Crop Science and Horticultural Science.

An examination and discussion of the principles, protocols and utilization of plant cell tissue culture systems. In vitro propagation and regeneration, mutagenesis and selection, secondary metabolite elicitation and cell transformation techniques including protoplast fusion, direct DNA uptake and plant bacterial co-cultivation will be emphasized. Departments of Crop Science and Horticultural Science.

Examination of molecular and cellular aspects of the interaction between plants and microorganisms such as mycorrhizae, pathogenic fungi, Agrobacterium and plant viruses. Topics include microbial virulence, signalling, gene expression, and disease resistance in plants. Departments of Botany and Environmental biology.

An examination and discussion of structure-function relationships at the subcellular level during plant growth and development. Organelles and their roles in biosynthetic, bioenergetic and physiological processes that are unique to plants will be emphasized. Departments of Botany and Crop Science. (Offered in odd-numbered years.)

Root growth as affected by soil properties; soil plant water relations; soil aeration; absorption, translocation and function of nutrients in plants; ion transport to roots; rhizosphere effects; application of concepts to crop production. Departments of Land Resource Science and Horticultural Science.

An examination of the molecular and cellular processes that underlie cellular differentiation and organ formation in plants. The roles of homeotic genes, gene regulation, cell polarity, morphogens and environmental effects in development will be discussed. Subjects will be introduced by a lecture and examined in detail in discussions of pertinent research papers. (Offered in even-numbered years.)

The study of environmental pollution effects on plants in natural and agricultural settings. Included are gaseous, liquid and particulate atmospheric pollutants and radiation stresses.

The effects of environmental stresses on plant growth, development and yield, and the physiological and physical mechanisms used by plants to tolerate these stresses are discussed with emphasis on low temperature, wind and water stresses. Fundamental plant processes including membrane transport, cell elongation, stomatal control, osmotic adjustment, sap flow, photosynthesis and the role of growth regulators are discussed in relation to their response to environmental stress. Departments of Crop Science and Horticultural Science.

An examination and discussion of the principles, protocols and applications of molecular biology and transformation technology to the genetic improvements of plants. Departments of Crop Science and Horticultural Science.