1922.] . Indian Science Congress. L.8.C. 103 
PHYSIOLOGY. 
Perhaps physiology is after all the most fundamental of 
the botanical sciences, and it has been making rapid progress 
in the last few vears. Chemistry and Physics are becoming 
such important parts of physiology that the average botanist 
has difficulty in keeping up with the procession. Much of the 
present trend of the subject requires such a mastery of 
chemistry and physics, such elaborate equipment, and to such 
a large extent the stimulus of contact with others interested 
in and engaged in similar research. that really fundamental 
investigations in physiology are difficult in India. Some of 
the most valuable and suggestive aspects of physiology, as 
osmotic pressures of sap, permeability, antagonism, the chem- 
istry and physics of protoplasm, enzyms, photosynthesis, 
and metabolism are accordingly excluded from this discussion. 
Physiology as such has scarcely been touched in India. 
Howarp! and Hotm* have done valuable work on the effect 
of soil aeration on the growth of plants of economic impor- 
tance, and J. C. Bosr has made valuable contributions on the 
response of plants to stimuli, and on refined methods of study- 
ing response. 
‘here is however a vast amount of work that can be done 
without the necessity of highly specialized training and ig 
orate outlay on equipment.. The work of JivaNNa Rao” on 
the conditions of leaf-bladder formation in Hichornia 1s an 
illustration. Some of the problems that scem most approach- 
able, and that would yield exceedingly valuable results are : 
The water relations and demands of plants. 
2. The light relations and demands of plants. 
3. Temperature requirements of plants. 
4. Soil fertility studies. 
Water relations.—Conditions over the greater part of 
India are suitable for the growth of plants throughout the year, 
except as water is a limiting factor. Periodicity in precipita- 
tion is a marked feature of the climate. We need exact as 
on the evaporating power of the air throughout the aa Pr 
the response of plants to the actual fluctuations in umi : 2 
and to the variations in water available to the roots. a e 
evaporimeter devised by BaTes* gives records of evaporation 
go a 
slowano, A. ng ivatitionson sean, fy 
special reference to Agriculture. Agric. Jour. el fatten Phe ok 
2 Hote, R. 8S. Recent ns RTE on 3. 430-440 
co dee 1918 
Jour. India 1 first a 
z19- 1920. 


With spec.al reference to forests . 
3 aie Rao, P. §. The formation of — 
speciosa Kunth (water hyacinth). Jour- Indian Bot. oP oa pndiew. 
+ Bares, C. G. A new evaporimeter for use | 
Monthly Weather Rev. 47 : 283-294. 1919. 
