HOS 6311 - SEED PHYSIOLOGY


        Spring 2006

        Period 5, 11:45 am - 12:35 pm

        (Monday, Wednesday, Friday)

        Room 2316 Fifield Hall

         

        Instructor:   Daniel J. Cantliffe
                               Building 710, 1251 Fifield Hall
                               (352) 392-1928 x203 (office)
                               djc@ifas.ufl.edu

                               Office hours:  M, W, F

                              10:00-11:00 am (other times by appointment)

         

         

        Objective


        To give students who are interested in studying seed sciences a broad background related to the importance, physiology, and biochemistry of seed germination and dormancy. To relate these processes to problems with seed vigor and stand establishment.

         

         

        I.          Introduction
         

        A.        Importance and characteristics of seeds
        B.        Seed structure
        C.        Chemical composition of seeds
        D.        Seed storage reserves

         

        II.         Germination
         

        A.        Environmental control of seed germination

        B.        Imbibition and germination

        C.        Metabolism of germination seeds

        D.        Breakdown of storage reserves

         

         

        III.        Seed Dormancy


        A.        Causes of dormancy
        B.        Physiology of dormancy
        C.        Biochemistry of dormancy

         
         

        IV.       Seed Vigor


        A.        Physiology and biochemistry of seed vigor
        B.        Seed development and vigor
        C.        Seed longevity and aging
        D.        Seed pathology and vigor
        E.        Expression and evaluation of vigor

         

         

        V.        Stand Establishment


        A.    Effect of seed quality on stand establishment
        B.    Environmental factors to be considered
        C.    Field seeding and transplanting
        D.    Methodology to improve stand uniformity and emergence
                1.         Priming
                2.         Pelleting / coating
                3.         Controlling pathogens

         

         

        VI.       Grading

                                                                                   Points

        A.        Exam 1                                                      100

        B.        Exam 2                                                      100

        C.        Final exam (covers entire course)         150

        D.        Review of current literature                     100

        E.        Course discussion                                   100

                                                           TOTAL                550

         

        Attendance

        Class attendance is mandatory and will be used as one index of student participation and subsequent student evaluation.  Special circumstances necessitating absences must be arranged in advance or, in the event of an emergency, explained upon return.

        Review of Current Literature

        Each student will be given two papers during the semester.  The student will be given 7 minutes to review the paper with the class, then 3 minutes to discuss and answer questions. 

        Academic Honesty

        As a result of completing the registration form at the University of Florida, every student has signed the following statement:  I understand that the University of Florida expects its student to be honest in all of their academic work.  I agree to adhere to this commitment to academic honesty and understand that my failure to comply with this commitment may result in disciplinary action up to and including expulsion from the University.

        Classroom Decorum

        University policy is that beverages and food are not permitted in classrooms.  No smoking and no other uses of tobacco are permitted.  The University is a drug and alcohol free workplace and any student under the influence will not be permitted to participate in class activities.  Cellular phones and other types of communication devices must be turned off during class (if it buzzes, beeps or rings, turn it off).  Please keep reading of newspapers and other non-class materials reserved for an appropriate location such as the lounge area in this building. 

        UF Counseling Services

        Resources are available on-campus for students having personal problems or lacking clear career and academic goals, which interfere with their academic performance.  These resources include:

         1.      University Counseling Center, 301 Peabody Hall, 392-1575, personal and career counseling;

         2.      Student Mental Health, Student Health Care Center, 392-1171, personal counseling;

         3.      Sexual Assault Recovery Services (SARS), Student Health Care Center, 392-1161, sexual counseling; and,

         4.      Career Resource Center, Reitz Union, 392-1601, career development assistance and counseling.

         Software Use

        All faculty, staff and students at the University are required and expected to obey the laws and legal agreements governing software use.  Failure to do so can lead to monetary damages and/or criminal penalties for the individual violator.  Because such violations are also against University policies and rules, disciplinary action will be taken as appropriate. 

         

        We, the members of the University of Florida community, pledge to hold our peers and ourselves to the highest standards of honesty and integrity. 
         


         

                                                                     HOS 6311 - Class Schedule

                                                                                   Spring 2006

                                                                        January 9 - April 26, 2006

                                                                   (Monday, Wednesday, Friday)

                                                                    Period 5, 11:45 am - 12:35 pm

                                                                           Room 2316 Fifield Hall

         

                                                                               (Third Revision)

         

          

            DATE         TOPIC

            DATE         TOPIC

         

         

            Jan. 9         Introduction-Importance of

            Mar. 1         Seed Dormancy (Jeff Norcini,

                                Seeds-What is a Seed?

                                Wild Flower Dormancy)

                   11         Seed Structures

                     3         Seed Dormancy

                   13         No Class

                     6         Seed Dormancy

                   16         M.L. King Day - OFF

                     8         Seed Dormancy-Light

                   18         Chemical Composition of

                   10         Seed Vigor-Flower Seed (Miller McDonald,

                                Seeds

                                 Ohio State Univ.)

                   20         Environmental Control of

             13-17         SPRING BREAK

                                Germination

                   20         Seed Dormancy-Light

                   23         Imbibition-Germination

                   22         Seed Dormancy-Hormones (Paper-17)

                   25         Imbibition-Germination            24         Seed Dormancy-Hormones (Paper-18)

                   27         Germination-Metabolism

                   27         Dormancy (Paper-19)

                   30         Germination-Metabolism

                   29         Dormancy-Lettuce

         

                   31         Seed Vigor/Seed Pathology (Warley

            Feb. 1         Germination-Metabolism

                                 Nascimento, EMBRAPA-Brazil)

                     3         Seedless Watermelon  

                                Germination - (Daniel Leskovar,

            Apr. 3         Seed Vigor

                                Texas A&M)

                     5         Test on Dormancy

                     6         Germination-Mobilization

                     7         Seed Vigor
                     8         Germination-Mobilization

                   10         Seed Vigor

                   10         Germination-Mobilization

                   12         Seed Vigor

                   13         Germination-Mobilization

                   14         Seed Vigor

                   15         Germination-Mobilization

                   17         Seed Testing

                   17         Germination-Mobilization

                   19         Seed Technology-Enhancements

                   20         Seed Dormancy

                   21         Seed Technology-Enhancements

                   22         Seed Dormancy

                   24         Seed Technology-Enhancements

                   24         Test on Germination

                   26         Seed Technology-Enhancements

                   27         Seed Dormancy

                   26         Review (Last Day of Class)

         

         

         

             May 5         FINAL EXAM - 12:30-2:30 pm

                  

         


         

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