208-402 Advanced Plant Breeding & Biotechnology

212-314 Genetics and Breeding and 212-315 Molecular Biology & Biotechnology or 208-302 Molecular Biology, Breeding and Biotechnology or other subjects as approved by course coordinators.

This subject builds on the knowledge gained from 208-302 Molecular Biology, Breeding and Biotechnology. Case studies are used to illustrate the steps involved in taking knowledge from research laboratory or breeding trials and producing and releasing novel crop varieties. This subject will include a research project in an area chosen by each student.

On completion of this subject students should:

• comprehend many of the issues, concepts and difficulties involved in developing new crop varieties through breeding and biotechnological processes;

• have developed experience in the planning and execution of experiments and have extended their abilities in both oral and written scientific communication; and

• have a good preparation for higher-degree study in plant breeding and biotechnology.

Topics to be covered include:

• application of genetics to plant improvement;

• methods, concepts and case studies in breeding for yield, quality and pest-resistance in agricultural plants, including genetic modification of reproductive systems in plant breeding, molecular methods for hybrid seed production, and application of molecular markers to breeding;

• case histories of cloning of agriculturally important genes by phenotype;

• biotechnological approaches to manipulation of commercially important traits in agricultural plants, including genetic stability, expression in different field and environmental conditions, and the application of special techniques such as induced mutation and in-vitro selection; and

• research techniques in plant breeding and biotechnology.

Three-hour end-of-semester examination (60%), written project report (4000 words, 25%), oral research presentation (15%).