(1) Studies have shown that carbon metabolism and water transport a...

(1) Studies have shown that carbon metabolism and water transport are altered when a plant is infected with a root fungal or fungal-like pathogen. Infection of turfgrass with root-infecting fungus provides an example of such an interaction. However, few studies have examined in detail how whole-plant carbon and water budgets are affected when infection by such a pathogen occurs.
Explain in detail the physiological factors that would need to be examined to provide a model for how the whole-plant carbon and water budgets in turfgrass are affected when infection by a root-infecting fungus occurs. Also discuss why each factor should be examined. The goal is to determine the physiological bases for alterations in the whole-plant carbon and water budgets by determining which physiological factors have been altered when infection by a root-infecting fungus occurs. Provide some information on the methodology that could be used to measure the physiological factors discussed above.

(2) Studies have shown that infection of a plant by a root pathogen will affect the function of other portions of the plant including the shoot. Infection of turfgrass with a root-infecting fungus provides an example of such an interaction. Discuss the physiological mechanisms that allow the presence of such a root pathogen to be ‘communicated’ to the remainder of the plant. Include factors such as short- and long-distance transport mechanisms, signal transduction processes, and potential signaling molecules. Also provide some information on the methodology that could be used to measure the physiological factors discussed above.