This program studies plant physiological processes that are important in plant adaptation and distribution, from various levels of organization: from the biochemical, organ and whole plant to plant community level. Plant adaptation is due to the interaction between genetics and environment. The objective of ecophysiology is to study the interacting factors and elucidate physiological mechanisms that determine environmental adaptation.
Research topics include the modeling of yield loss due to the defoliating pathogen, Asian Soybean Rust. The role of genetics and photoperiod in the control of soybean reproductive development and leaf senescence. We have also been involved in a wheat study of the physiological responses of winter wheat to no-till production systems. For more information on current research topics see Projects page. For more information on the program PI see Dr. Saratha Kumudini's departmental profile .
MS and PhD assistantships are available for suitable candidates with an interest in whole plant ecophysiology. Students will learn skills in field experimental design and statistics, as well as the use of field and controlled environment instrumentation. This would prepare students for careers in the agricultural industry, county extension, state and federal services in agricultural or environmental divisions as well as college level research and teaching in crop/ecophysiology.
The Crop/Ecophysiology lab is fully equipped with state of the art instrumentation in field portable photosynthesis systems, chlorophyll a fluorometery, spectroradiometery. The lab is in a brand new facility where successful students may work on various field and lab techniques of plant analysis.
Qualified students should contact Saratha Kumudini for more details.
