Objectives and Learning Outcome

Mechanisms of water and nutrient movement in soils and plants, and their relationships with plant growth are discussed. After completion of this course, the students will be able to understand water and nutrient movement in soil and plant and adaptation of plants to adverse soil water conditions.

Course Contents

1. Functions and properties of water

2. Components of soil and plant water potentials

3. Soil-plant-water relations

4. Movement of water and ions in soil and plant

5. Water absorption and root stem pressure

6. Water and mineral nutrient uptake

7. Photosynthesis and transpiration

8. Soil–plant–atmosphere continuum

9. Adaption of plants to adverse soil-water conditions

Books Recommended

1. Hillel, D. 2008. Soil in the Environment: Crucible of Terrestrial Life. Elsevier Inc., Burlington, MA, USA.

2. Jury, W.A. and R. Horton. 2004. Soil Physics. 6th Ed. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, NJ, USA.

3. Kirkham, M.B. 2005. Principles of Soil and Plant Water Relations. 1st Ed. Elsevier Academic Press, San Diego, CA, USA.

4. Kramer, P.J. and J.S. Boyer. 1995. Water Relations of Plants and Soils. Academic Press, San Diego, CA, USA. 5. Rending, V.V. and H.M. Taylor. 1989. Principles of Soil-Plant Inter Relationships. McGraw Hill Publishing Co., NY. USA.

Assessment Criteria

Sessional: 12 (project, presentation, participation)

Project: 06

Presentation: 03

Participation: 03

Mid exam: 18

Final exam: 30