Crop physiology

Abstract Understanding mechanisms of nutrient allocation in organisms requires precise knowledge of the spatiotemporal dynamics of small molecules in vivo. Genetically encoded sensors are powerful tools for studying nutrient distribution and dynamics, as they enable minimally-invasive monitoring of nutrient steady-state levels in situ. Numerous types of genetically encoded sensors for nutrients have been designed and applied in mammalian cells and fungi. However, to date, their application for visualizing changing nutrient levels in planta remain limited. Systematic sensor-based approaches could provide the quantitative, kinetic information on tissue-specific, cellular and subcellular distributions and dynamics of nutrients in situ that is needed for the development of theoretical nutrient flux models that form the basis for future crop engineering. Here, we review various approaches that can be used to measure nutrients in planta with an overview over conventional techniques, as well as genetically encoded sensors currently available for nutrient monitoring, and discuss their strengths and limitations. We provide a list of currently available sensors and summarize approaches for their application at the level of cellular compartments and organelles. When used in combination with bioassays on intact organisms and precise, yet destructive analytical methods, the spatiotemporal resolution of sensors offers the prospect of a holistic understanding of nutrient flux in plants. ...

Postharvest physiology is about the plant response to technologies and other applications that extend shelf life and quality and delay senescence (plant death). Quality itself includes aspects that are appealing to consumers, such as appearance, aroma, taste, color (sensory), reduced risk of foodborne pathogens or pesticide residues (food safety), or more dense nutrient or phytonutrient content. Growers and shippers realized that keeping produce or flowers cold greatly extended the sales life and this stimulated much interest in exploring the causes of plant senescence at physiological, cellular, and molecular levels. As consumers continue to increase their daily intake of fruits and vegetables, pressure to deliver high-quality products with a longer shelf life is critical. Vegetables Vegetable research focuses on both the production and post-harvest aspects. North Carolina is strategically located half way up the Eastern coast of the U.S., which strategically places growers in an important niche of supplying fresh produce. Read more Cut Flowers and Postharvest Floriculture Cluster of four Narcissus ‘Halvose’ Tazetta North Carolina is consistently among the top five U.S. states in production of floriculture crops, with NC’s production across all crops being $234 million in 2015 based on wholesale value of all floriculture plants. A vibrant specialty cut flower industry is a significant part of that production. Research conducted by the Cut Flower and Postharvest Floricultu...

Mission The mission of our lab is to conduct high-quality research and provide first-rate training in a collegial, friendly atmosphere. We foster academic excellence by providing a stimulating environment for learning and research. We encourage creative thinking, engage in rigorous discussions, and promote and strive for collaborative research within and across disciplines. We strive to maintain a dynamic research environment, a diverse group of individuals, and are interested in a collaborative research projects at the local, national and international level. We encourage you to contact us if you are interested in joining our group or would like to explore collaborative projects. Research The overall theme of our research is to develop a better understanding of crop responses to their environment, and to translate that understanding into the development of efficient and sustainable cropping practices. Production of sufficient food to sustain an increasing number of people on our planet in the face of global environmental changes is a tremendous challenge. Future food, feed, fiber and energy needs will require the development of plants and production practices that generate greater yields per unit area. Our lab is interested in problem-solving research that addresses real-world issues. Group members conduct experiments at various scales and employ a broad range of techniques in the hope that we can contribute knowledge useful to address real problems. • • • • • • • • •

Journals Together, the American Society of Agronomy (ASA), Crop Science Society of America (CSSA), and Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) publish thirteen peer-reviewed scientific journals, including six gold open access journals, in support of the agronomy, crop, soil, and environmental science fields. ASA, CSSA, and SSSA Gold Open Access Journal Author Page Charges Discontinued The American Society of Agronomy (ASA), Crop Science Society of America (CSSA), and Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) have been committed to high quality publishing, peer review, and ethics for many years. Like many nonprofit society publications, our journals developed varying revenue streams to support the mission programs to lead and disseminate research in the agronomic, crop and soil sciences. As 2022 closes, ASA, CSSA, and SSSA are eliminating excess author page fees for gold open access journals, including Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment, The Plant Genome, The Plant Phenome Journal and Vadose Zone Journal, effective with manuscripts accepted and published after 31 December 2022. This new policy supports our goal to reduce economic burden on authors and simplify processes while continuing to provide gold open access publishing options for researchers worldwide. The Editors, editorial boards, and publications staff thank authors continuing to publish in ASA, CSSA, and SSSA journals and invite new authors to consider how our journals can meet your publishing needs. Journals Agr...

The Crop Physiology & Production Specialization prepares students to understand, manage, and improve productivity, efficiency, and profit of cropping systems. To this end, curriculum for theCrop Physiology & Production Specialization must provide each student with needed knowledge and functional capabilities, as defined by the Student Outcome Learnings for the Crop Physiology & Production Specialization. • Understand plant growth as influenced by their surrounding biophysical environment and underlying physiological mechanisms • Integrate concepts on crops, soil, nutrients, and climate to develop viable and profitable cropping systems • Understand tools that can help as basis to manage resources and improve their conversion into economic yield Foundational or Core Courses Students specializing in Crop Physiology and Production must select classes from each of the three Core Elective groups as guided by the major advisor, student committee and IDP. Students will also choose Elective classes guided by their own individual development plan, major advisor, and supervisory committee. Irrigation • • Students free to select courses from one or more sub-specialization or to choose no sub-specialization. Courses from other graduate specializations may also be selected. Core Elective Course guidelines may be waived with documentation of previously successfully completing equivalent courses, workshops, or short courses and/or demonstration of equivalent proficiencies pertaining to th...