Section 2

Physiological basis of yield

Physiological basis of yield

 All
life on earth depends on this process!
 Not just a micro-process in plant physiol. labs!
Physiological basis of yield

Dry matter production (yield)

↓
With how much does photosynthesis
exceed respiration?
(dark respiration + photorespiration)
Physiological basis of yield
Photosynthesis on the farm

 Producer = factory manager

 Exploit photosynthesis process
 Production of photosynthesis factory:
 Size of factory
 Production time

 Efficiency of factory

 Measured + manipulated  increased production

 Crop production = science of harvesting the sun
Physiological basis of yield
 Producer
 Ensures favorable conditions for photosynthesis

 No direct control of primary factors:

Irradiation, CO2, temperature, rainfall

 Cultivation practices  large, effective factory

 Correct crop + cultivar choice
 Plant time, population, spacing

 Tillage, fertilization, (irrigation)

 Pest control
Physiological basis of yield
Extent of photosynthesis

 Start at final yield:

 Maize: grain yield = 4 t/ha
 Dry matter = 6 t/ha
 Respiration = 4 t of assimilates/ha
 Total production of assimilates = 14 t/ha
 CO2 requirement = 20 t/ha
 O2 generated = 15 t/ha
Physiological basis of yield
Extent of photosynthesis
 Radiation:
 Photosynthetic efficiency
 Good yields = 1%
 Record yields = 2 – 5%

 Theoretically = 10 – 22%

 CO2 = [0.033%]
 20 t CO2/ha = 60 000 t air/ha
 ↑ [CO2] = ↑ photosynthesis
 CO2 enrichment in greenhouses
Physiological basis of yield
Extent of photosynthesis
 Plant nutrition:
 Nutrients = 5 – 10% of dry matter
 Vitally important for normal functioning
 Small amounts  success / failure
 Water:
 Fraction used in photosynthesis (16 t/ha)
 Most lost by evapotranspiration (4 000 t/ha)
 Different for different climates
  much water required, although not directly used in photosynthesis
Physiological basis of yield
Implications for crop production
 Agriculturalists  crop production systems to increase
photosynthesis
 Determine optimum size of leaf-factory
 Keep effectivity of leaves as high as possible
 Production time of leaves as long as possible

 Successeasier if one knows where each facet fits into

photosynthesis-production-programme!