Agronomy and Horticulture Department
Date of this Version
1969
Abstract
The primary productivity of communities made up of autotrophic green plants I initially dependent upon photosynthesis. The patterns of chlorophyll display at each level of community organization revel features which can be related to light interception and photosynthetic activity, and hence, to production. Studies on the comparative morphology of such displays should reveal principles useful for designing more efficient crops. It is important that we identify these principles since existing patterns are not necessarily the most efficient for intensive agriculture – a consequence of natural selection, even under a strong influence of man, having occurred principally in poverty environments and having emphasized many parameters of fitness in addition to primary productivity.
Comments
Published in Physiological Aspects of Crop Yield: Proceedings of a symposium sponsored by the University of Nebraska, the American Society of Agronomy, and the Crop Science Society of America, and held at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebr., January 20-24, 1969. Edited by Jerry D. Eastin, F. A. Haskins, C. Y. Sullivan, C. H. M. Van Bavel, and Richard C. Dinauer (Madison, Wisconsin: American Society of Agronomy & Crop Science Society of America, 1969). Copyright © 1969 American Society of Agronomy & Crop Science Society of America. Used by permission.