212-407 Applied Plant Breeding & Biotechnology

212-314 Genetics and Breeding, and 212-315 Molecular Biology and Biotechnology. If prerequisites are not met, please see subject coordinator for possible exemption.

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; 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; gametophytic selection, cytogenetics, interspecific hybridisation to the improvement of agricultural plants. Practical work includes exercises, excursions and some formal practical classes and discussion to illustrate particular aspects of the lectures and to familiarise students with research techniques in plant breeding and biotechnology. Excursions to plant breeding institutes and biotechnology laboratories may also be arranged.

A 3-hour end-of-semester written examination; practical work (up to one seminar discussion, one project report and one practical examination).