Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION
GENERAL PRINCIPLES
Complete Understanding Requires Information from Several Levels of Biological Organization
Separating Causes and Effects Can Be Difficult
Limiting Factors, Synergisms, and Source/Sink Effects
Optimization and Efficiency
Genetic and Environmental Influences on Plants
EXPERIMENTAL APPROACHES AND QUANTITATIVE METHODS
Value of Experimental Studies in Different Fields or Seasons Having Contrasting Environments
Value of Experimental Studies in Controlled Environments
Value of Experimental Studies with Different Environments Imposed in the Same Field
Quantitative Methods
CROP PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSES TO LIGHT, PHOTOSYNTHESIS, AND RESPIRATION
Photosynthesis and Productivity
Photosynthesis and Adaptation
Mitochondrial Respiration
Photorespiration
Growth Analysis
CROP PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSES TO TEMPERATURE AND CLIMATIC ZONES
Seed Germination, Storage, and Dormancy
Resumption of Active Growth by Perennials
Vegetative Growth
Reproductive Development
Climactic Zones
Comparison Method for Determining Where Crops Can Be Grown
CROP DEVELOPMENTAL RESPONSES TO TEMPERATURE, PHOTOPERIOD, AND LIGHT QUALITY
Heat-Unit Systems for Predicting Plant Development
Chilling Requirements of Plants
Plant Developmental Responses to Photoperiod
Light Quality Effects on Plant Development
RADIATION AND ENERGY BALANCES, AND PREDICTING CROP WATER USE AND TEMPERATURE
Solar Radiation at the Surface of the Earth
Types of Radiation in the Earth's Environment and Optical Qualities of Plants
Radiation and Energy Balances
Predicting Crop Water Use
Predicting Temperature Differences between Crop Canopy and Air
CROP TRANSPIRATION AND WATER RELATIONS
Transpiration
Stomatal Responses to Environment
Optimal Stomatal Function
Adaptive Significance of Plant Differences in the Level of Daily Water Use
Adaptive Significance of Plant Differences in Transpiration Efficiency
Liquid Water Transport form Soil to Leaves
Components of Total Water Potential
Flow of Water from Root to Shoot
Crop Water Relations
CROP ADAPTATION TO WATER-LIMITED ENVIRONMENTS
Crop Species Differences in Drought Resistance
Mechanisms of Drought Resistance
HYDROLOGICAL BUDGET OF CROPPING SYSTEMS, IRRIGATION, AND CLIMATIC ZONES
Irrigation Management
Climactic Zone definition based on Water
CROP RESPONSES TO SALINITY AND OTHER LIMITING SOIL CONDITIONS
Plant Responses to Extremes of Soil Texture and High Soil Bulk Density
Salinity Tolerance
Tolerance to High Boron
Tolerance to High Aluminum
INTERACTION OF CROP RESPONSES TO PESTS AND ABIOTIC FACTORS
Crop Phonology and the Escape or Aggravation of Pest Problems
Crop Resistance to Pests
CONSIDERATION OF CROP RESPONSES TO ENVIRONMENT IN PLANT BREEDING
Defining Crop Ideotype Traits
Testing the Value of Crop Ideotype Traits
Perspectives for Future Use of Crop Ideotypes in Plant Breeding
REFERENCES