PLANT CALORIMETRY - A WINDOW TO PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND ECOLOGY

The use of calorespirometry in developing models for biological growth is discussed. The relationships between respiratory heat, CO2, and O- 2 rates and physiological parameters such as substrate carbon conversi on efficiency, and substrate and biomass carbon oxidation states are p resented and discussed. A biochemical model relating ratios of the res piratory rates to the physiological parameters and biochemical pathway s in plants is presented. Examples of applications of these models and equations to plant physiology and ecology are given. (C) 1997 Elsevie r Science B.V.