B1821 - Molecular Basis of Plant Productivity

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student knows the theoretical and practical aspects related to the energy conversion of light into biomass in cultivated plants, with particular reference to the molecular mechanisms and physiological processes that constrain plant productivity. In the context of the various physiological processes dealt with, the student knows how to investigate specific problems of plant-agricultural biotechnological interest at the molecular level.

Course contents

• Conversion of light energy into plant biomass energy, a quantitative approach to plant physiology.
• Photosynthesis: light phase and carbon metabolism: from the whole plant to molecular processes.
• Assimilation of nitrogen and sulfur.
• Respiratory metabolism and fermentations.
• Sink-source relationships.
• Plant water balance. Responses to water stress and heat stress.
• Biotechnology for the sustainable increase of agricultural plant productivity.

Readings/Bibliography

• Rascio N et al (2021) Elementi di Fisiologia vegetale. EdiSES, terza edizione
• Research papers and reviews

Teaching methods

Lectures with ppt presentations

Assessment methods

The exam consists of an oral interview on 3 topics of the program, but can be reduced to 2 or 1 topic at the student's request based on the following conditions:

- a question of the oral exam can be replaced by passing (idoneità) the written test which is given at the end of the laboratory module held by Prof. Zaffagnini;

- a further question in the oral exam can be replaced by a presentation to the class of a seminar on a research article agreed with the teacher. The seminar will be prepared in groups, but the presentation will involve all the students in the group individually.

Teaching tools

ppt files will be made available to the students (Virtuale)

Office hours

See the website of Paolo Bernardo Trost

See the website of Mirko Zaffagnini