NPLB14007U Plant Breeding

Volume 2018/2019
Education

BSc Programme in Biology-Biotechnology

Content

1) Genetic resources, mating systems, incompatibility, male sterility (ex using computer or i greenhouse)
2) Mutations, polyploidy, haploids and in vitro cultures (ex with in vitro cultures)
3) Molecular markers, population genetics and marker assisted selection (ex e.g. SSRs for population genetics and selection)
4) Quantitative traits, genetic variances, heritability, selection, QTL, genetics of disease resistance (ex Measurements on plant populations, field trials and calucations, Case: map QTLs with mapping software)
5) Cultivars of inbreeders, lines and hybrids (ex Crossing exercise with in and out breeders; Case: Search www for info on breeding of major crops)
6) Cultivars of outbreeders, populations, hybrids, species hybridisation and combining ability (ex computer exercise with cross breeders and hybrids, case: search www for info on breeding of major crops
7) Plant cultivar protection, legislation, patenting and transgenic (Case: patent databases and patents on crop plants)
8) Excursion to one or two breeding stations in Denmark or Sweden

Learning Outcome

The major goal of the course is to provide basic knowledge about technology and theory from genetics, physiology and genomics used to improve cultivated plants and to enable discussion of genetic diversity and its importance for sustainable plant production in agriculture, horticulture and forestry.

After completing the course the students should be able to:

Knowledge
-Describe basic genetics, in vitro culture and propagation systems for plants improvement
-Describe systems for mutation, haploidy and polyploidy manipulation and major incompatibility and sterility systems for plant breeding
-Describe main principles of molecular breeding techniques
-Describe principles of quantitative genetics, heritability and selection theory

Skills
-Combine basic knowledge with information of mating control systems, selection systems and propagation methods to obtain improved cutivars of inbreeders, outbreeders and vegetatively propagated plant species
-Use basic principles of cultivar protection, legislation and patenting in plant improvement programs with traditional and molecular techniques

Competences
-Use basic knowledge in collaboration with co-students to perform simple breeding related projects and reports
-Evaluate potential of new genetic resources for improved crop production systems
-Evaluate alternative breeding approaches to improve different crop species and introduce new genetic diversity

Literature

Learning book plus some supplemental written material and simulation software. Further information will be avaliable on Absalon.

Qualification corresponding to one of following courses LBIF10183 Genetics; LBIF10184E Molekylær Genetik or NPLB13001E Plant Genomics and at least two years of study experience
40% lectures and discussion classes, 60% practical exercises and supervised PBL cases. Students are expected to work in dynamic groups for exercises and PBL and to be able to produce written presentation of results. Excursion to breeding companies included.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Exam
  • 4
  • Lectures
  • 20
  • Practical exercises
  • 65
  • Preparation
  • 97
  • Theory exercises
  • 20
  • Total
  • 206
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Written examination, 4 hours under invigilation
The course has been selected for ITX exam on Peter Bangs Vej.
Exam registration requirements

Accepted three out of four experimental exercise reports

Aid
All aids allowed

When the exam is taking place at ITX, computers will be made available by the University. Students are therefore not permitted to bring their own computers, tablets or mobile phones. If textbooks and/or notes are permitted, according to the course description, these must be in paper format or on a USB flash drive.

Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
One internal examiner
Re-exam

As the ordinary exam. If 10 or fewer register for the reexamination the examination form will be oral 20 min (10 min. preparation).

If the requirement is not met, the student has to follow the course the following year as the laboratory exercise need to be followed.

Criteria for exam assesment

See learning outcome