208-402 Advanced Plant Breeding & Biotechnology

208-302 Molecular Biology, Genetics and Breeding.

It is expected that on completion of this subject students should understand genetics as it relates to plant breeding and be confident in applying genetics to improvement programs in plants. The students should also understand application of biotechnological techniques in relation to plant improvement and have a good preparation for higher degree study in plant breeding and biotechnology.

The topics to be covered include:

• application of genetics to plant improvement;

• methods, concepts and case studies in breeding for yield, quality and pest in agricultural plants;

• genetic modification of reproductive systems in plant breeding;

• molecular methods for hybrid seed production;

• application of molecular markers to breeding;

• case histories of cloning of agriculturally important genes by phenotype e.g. transposon tagging, T-DNA tagging;

• biotechnological approaches to manipulation of commercially important traits in agricultural plants;

• genetic stability, expression in field conditions, expression under different environmental conditions;

• the application of special techniques such as induced mutation, in-vitro selection; and

• practical work - exercises, excursions and discussion to illustrate particular aspects of the lectures and to familiarize students with research techniques in plant breeding and biotechnology.

Excursions to plant breeding institutes and biotechnology laboratories may also be arranged.

Three-hour examination (50%), a practical test (10%) and two assignments equivalent to 2500 words (each worth 20%).