Syllabus

Syllabus

    Theory
    • Growth and development-definitions, components, photosynthetic productivity, leaf area index (LAI) - optimum LAI in horticultural crops, canopy development; different stages of growth, growth curves, growth analysis in horticultural crops. Plant bioregulators- auxin, gibberellin, cytokinin, ethylene inhibitors and retardants, basic functions, biosynthesis, role in crop growth and development, propagation, flowering, fruit setting, fruit thinning, fruit development, fruit drop, and fruit ripening. Flowering-factors affecting flowering, physiology of flowering, photoperiodism-long day, short day and day neutral plants, vernalisation and its application in horticulture, pruning and training physiological basis of training and pruning source and sink relationship, translocation of assimilates. Physiology of seed development and maturation, seed dormancy and bud dormancy, causes and breaking methods in horticultural crops. Physiology of fruit growth and development, fruit setting, factors affecting fruit set and development, physiology of ripening of fruits-climatic and non-climacteric fruits.

    Practical

    • Estimation of photosynthetic potential of horticultural crops, leaf area index, growth analysis parameters including harvest index, bioassay of plant hormones, identification of synthetic plant hormones and growth retardants, preparations of hormonal solution and induction of rooting in cuttings, ripening of fruits and control of flower and fruit drop. Important physiological disorders and their remedial measures in fruits and vegetables, rapid tissue test, seed dormancy, seed viability by tetrazolium test, seed germination and breaking seed dormancy with chemicals and growth regulators.

Last modified: Thursday, 5 January 2012, 10:09 PM