PHOTOSYNTHETIC ANALYTICAL INSTRUMENT FOR UNDERSTANDING CROP PLANT RESPONSES TO CLIMATIC STRESSES

To achieve the goal of a sustainable agricultural production system, there is a dire need to understand plant growth, development, production, and responses to climate-based stress conditions. In this case, photosynthesis is one of the major energy synthesis processes for crop plants, leading to plant biomass and improving the food production system. To monitor the photosynthetic processes in the plant during harsh climatic conditions, we propose proposinga portable photosynthesis meter (LI-6800P).The objectives of the project are: (i) understanding crop plant growth and impacts on photosynthesis during variable climatic stress events, (ii) exploring the role of microbial communities in plant biomass and stress tolerance, and (ii) building knowledge and skills of underrepresented undergraduate and graduate students in research projects related to Agri-Biotechnology. Thus, utilizing this instrument will help to understandC4 photosynthesis, chlorophyll fluorescence, eco-physiological surveys, gas exchange & fluorescence, agriculture field photosynthesis, and respiration. This instrument is currently unavailable from any University of Houston (UH) labs, and it will help several collaborating faculties from neighboring Universities in the Houston area. In addition, collaborating partners from Prairie View A&M University and Texas Southern University will utilize it for their research.