Dr. Rajeev Arora
139 Horticulture Hall
Tel: 515-294-0031
e-mail:
After reviewing a few potential books, I could not find a suitable text for this course. It is therefore essential that you listen to the lectures carefully and take detailed notes. Whereas all exam questions will be strictly based on the material presented in power-point lectures, I recommend that you refer to the following book as a supplemental reading source as needed.
Seed Science and Technology, 4th Edition (2004) - By Copeland and McDonald (Kluwer Academic Publishers)
Additionally, two other books are highly recommended for occasional reference: the former for in-depth physiology and biochemistry of seed development, storage, germination and dormancy, and the latter for practical implications and applications of different aspects of seed physiology in crop management and utilization.
Seeds: Physiology of development and germination, 2nd Edition (1994) by Bewley & Black
Handbook of seed physiology - Applications to agriculture (2004) - Roberto L. Benech-Arnold and Rodolfo A. Sanchez (eds.), The Haworth Reference Press
Acknowledgements: Advice and / or some of the content (power point slides) used from the following sources during the preparation of this course is gratefully acknowledged.
1. Lecture presentations and reading assignments will be distributed on CD-ROM. There are a total of 21 (XXI) lectures / power-point presentations (average duration = 60 min/lecture) which are divided in two components namely, Seed Physiology Part I and Part II. The last three lecture periods (i.e., XXII, XIII and XXIV) will be used towards "Readings" on which the Final Exam is based (see below).
2. Exams - There will be 10 quizzes throughout the course that will be administered by a local proctor, following procedures similar to those used in the other STB courses. Quizzes will be primarily short answer, fill in the blanks, definitions format. Students are expected to answer questions in a 'close-book' format and complete the quiz in no more than 25 minutes. Each quiz will be worth ~30 points. Roughly, 3 quizzes are based on Part I and the rest on Part II. Please refer to "Lecture Topics" sheet for approximate schedule for the quizzes. Moreover, the instructor will inform students via e-mail at least a couple days before the upcoming quiz.
NOTE:The week of November 24 - 28 is Thanksgiving Break. There will be no lectures or exams scheduled for this week
The final exam (worth 120 points) constitutes reading 7 research papers and summarizing the "key" points of the paper in your own words. Each of the seven write-ups would include following five sections:
Additionally, it would include a brief discussion (up to a page) about how a particular seed physiology concept or idea (such as dormancy, seed filling and environmental stress etc.) addressed in the paper might be applicable to your own job responsibilities or work place and what else you (or you company) would like to learn on that particular topic and why. PDF copies of the papers are included on the CD-ROM and in the WebCT.
3. Grading: Your final grade will be assigned according to the following distribution:
| Quizzes | 70% |
| Final | 30% |
| Total = | 100% |
4. Communication: Dr. Rajeev Arora is the primary contact for the course content and he can be reached at the e-mail or phone number above. You can e-mail your questions and I will respond on Tuesdays and Thursdays (10 am - 12:00 noon and 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm Central Standard Time).
5. Technical assistance: Technical assistance is available at
6. Administrative assistance is available from John (Ted) MACDONALD, phone: 515-294-5681;
Fax: 515-294-2014; E-mail:
7. Students with special needs - Please discuss any special needs or accommodations you might require (extra time on exams etc.) with me at the beginning of the semester. Those seeking accommodations based on disabilities should obtain a Student Academic Accommodation Request (SAAR) from Disability Resources (DR) office (515-294-6624). The DR office is located in Room 1076 of the Student Services Building. The DR coordinates accommodations for students with documented disabilities.
| I. | Introduction | |
| II. | Plant Cells | |
| Quiz 1 | ||
| III. | Plant Water Relations | |
| IV. | Primary metabolism - photosynthesis and respiration | |
| Quiz 2 | ||
| V. | Growth and Development - 1 | |
| VI. | Growth and Development - 2 | |
| Quiz 3 | ||
| VII. | Seed Development - 1 | |
| VIII. | Seed development - 2 | |
| Quiz 4 | ||
| IX. | Seed Development - 3 | |
| X. | Seed Structure | |
| Quiz 5 | ||
| XI. | Seed storage, aging and deterioration - 1 | |
| XII. | Seed storage, aging and deterioration - 2 | |
| Quiz 6 | ||
| XIII. | Seed storage, aging deterioration - 3 | |
| XIV. | Seed storage, ageing and deterioration - 4 | |
| Quiz 7 | ||
| XV. | Seed dormancy - 1 | |
| XVI. | Seed dormancy - 2 | |
| XVII. | Seed dormancy - 3 | |
| Quiz 8 | ||
| XVIII. | Seed germination - 1 | |
| XIX. | Seed germination - 2 | |
| Quiz 9 | ||
| XX. | Seed enhancements techniques and seed priming - 1 | |
| XXI. | Seed enhancements techniques and seed priming - 2 | |
| Quiz 10 | ||
| XXII. | Readings | |
| XXIII. | Readings | |
| XXIV. | Readings |
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