Instructor(s): Blaine Johnson
Number of Credit Hours: 3
Fall Semester 2024: The course will be offered in person.
Prerequisites: Permission of instructor required. Recommended: two semesters of undergraduate or graduate level genetics, minimum of one course in plant breeding, minimum of one graduate level course in statistics. Fluency in math is recommended.
Description: The course is a three-hour (3 credits) course, duration of the full 15-week semester. Topics include: (a) Defining a comprehensive hybrid breeding program that continuously develops and releases genetically improved hybrids with sustained genetic gain over time; (b) Underlying classical population and quantitative genetics theory as applicable to hybrid breeding decisions; (c) Theory of sampling from a genetic distribution and the impact of sampling on breeding decisions; (d) Heterosis, development, and utilization of heterotic groups and germplasm pools; (e) Use of genetic theory when designing a comprehensive hybrid breeding program, including both parental line development and hybrid development; (f) Estimation and use of genetic parameters for making selection and advancement decisions, and (g) Logistical components of a hybrid breeding program and management thereof. Topics draw heavily from maize/corn breeding with a strong industry perspective.
The course focuses on classical theory of population and quantitative genetics and use of that theory when making decisions on management of an efficient, comprehensive, hybrid breeding program. Lectures, Workshops, and Projects are mathematical and statistical centric as opposed to computational centric.
Who should take this course: For M.S. or Ph.D. graduate students who anticipate a career in plant breeding, within either private industry or a public institution, or for other individuals who simply wish to extend their current knowledge of breeding for a hybrid crop.
Why take this course: A large proportion of career opportunities in plant breeding are those associated with hybrid breeding, with opportunities in maize/corn breeding being dominant. This course is offered as an advanced course in plant breeding wherein participants extend their knowledge of using classic quantitative genetic theory to make decisive and effective plant breeding decisions when breeding a hybrid crop, with many examples used in the course based upon the hybrid maize breeding model.
How course is taught: Classic quantitative genetic theory and other foundational knowledge on hybrid breeding are delivered via pre-recorded Lectures, made available through Canvas. Course participants view the lectures, then participate in live, in-classroom Discussions/Help Sessions and Workshops. In-classroom Discussions/Help Sessions are Tuesdays, 10:00-11:30. Workshops are on Thursdays, 10:00-11:30 a.m., Central Time. While the pre-recorded Lectures are available online through Canvas, in-person participation is required for both Tuesday and Thursday sessions.
Pre-recorded Lectures cover one or more topics that collectively provide the background needed for the Discussions and Workshops. Purpose of Discussions is to clarify and extend learnings from the pre-recorded Lectures; Help Sessions are open time with the course instructor for help with course content, or other discussions on all things plant breeding; Workshops are group-based and provide hands-on experience making plant breeding decisions, using a variety of concepts, tools, and methodologies covered in the lectures. The course is three credits and extends over the full fall semester.
This course is designed to help plant breeders extend their knowledge and skills in hybrid breeding by:
- Utilizing classical population and quantitative genetic theory to make decisions when breeding a hybrid crop where the breeding goal is release/commercialization of genetically improved hybrids;
- Developing an understanding of the goal of genetic gain over time and/or generations for a hybrid crop, and the implications of that goal on the design of a hybrid breeding program;
- Extending knowledge of classical population and quantitative genetic theory as needed to design an effective germplasm development pipeline for a hybrid breeding program.
- Developing knowledge of the logistical components of a hybrid breeding pipeline and the effective use of that genetic theory to make effective hybrid breeding decisions.
- Improving his/her ability to make selection and advancement decisions, quickly and with confidence, based upon relevant phenotypic and genetic data and information and upon a thorough understanding of underlying genetic theory, breeding goals, and breeding targets.
- Enhancing her/his ability to recognize and respect the value of diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and ideas, and to effectively promote and utilize that diversity when making plant breeding decisions and managing a hybrid breeding program.
- Enhancing her/his ability to think, think, THINK! Analytically, Logically, and Critically!