Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Further reading
Brown, L.V. (2002)
Applied Principles of Horticulture.
Butterworth-Heinemann.
Capon, B. (1990)
Botany for Gardeners
. Timber Press.
Hodge, G. (2013)
RHS Botany for Gardeners
. Mitchell
Beazley.
Ingram, D.S., Vince-Price, D. and Gregory, P.J. (2008)
Science and the Garden.
Blackwell Science.
The balance between photosynthesis
and respiration
The relationship between photosynthesis
and respiration is crucial for both plants and
growers. Photosynthesis converts carbon
dioxide into sugars whereas respiration does
the reverse. If the rate of photosynthesis is
too low, then all the carbon 'fixed' may be lost
again in respiration, leaving no surplus sugars
for growth. The point at which photosynthesis
exactly matches respiration, that is, there is no
net gain in carbon, is called the
compensation
point
.
In temperate
regions, low winter light
levels mean that plants are operating below
the compensation point, which is why growth
rates are low and many plants 'shut down' for
the winter, shedding their leaves and becoming
dormant. Growers aim to provide light levels
which keep photosynthesis rates above the
compensation point, otherwise their crops will
not grow sufficiently and yields will be low.
Please visit the companion website for further information:
www.routledge.com/cw/adams
