Welcome to the Crop Ecophysiology lab, Department of Plant and Soil Sciences

From left to right: George Clements (student intern from UK), Elena Prior (Research analyst), Praveen Palikonda (Master student), Daniel Sheffler (student intern from UK), Anne-Charlotte Bordet (student intern from France), Dr. Saratha Kumudini (project leader), Dr. Joe Omielan (post doctoral scholar).

This program studies plant physiological processes that are important in the adaptation of major crop species to an agronomic environment. Both genetics (G) and environment (E) influence plant adaptation. An understanding of physiological responses to G X E interactions has the potential to lead to plant improvements that optimize plant productivity and environmental adaptation.

The objective of our plant ecophysiology program is to elucidate physiological mechanisms that determine environmental adaptation. Our research attempts to integrate information over various levels of organization: from the biochemical, organ and single plant, to plant community level and thereby provide a contextual framework for the data from genomics and proteomics research.

Research topics in our program include:

1) The modeling of yield loss due to Asian Soybean Rust.
2) The study of genetic and environmental factors controlling soybean reproductive development and leaf senescence.
3) The physiological responses of winter wheat to no-till production systems.

For more information on current research topics see the Projects page. For more information on the program PI see Dr. Saratha Kumudini's departmental profile .