Instructor(s): Stephen Baenziger
Number of Credit Hours: 1
Cross-listings: ENTO 815B
Prerequisites: PLAS 215
Description: Obtaining germplasm and genes from cultivated plants, wild relatives of cultivated plants, and the biosphere. Origination of crops, mutation genetics, biotechnology as a source of genes, chromosomal engineering and plant reproduction.
Learning Outcomes/Course Objectives
- Establish realistic priorities and attainable objectives for a breeding program in a specific crop.
- List and describe the various types of genetic variability present in plants.
- Describe and discuss the natural pollination habits of plants and be able to relate these to the variability of populations, tolerance to inbreeding, and potential heterosis.
- Describe methods for inducing variation that will have selection value.
- Describe methods for handling segregating populations in order to identify or select plants for future use as inbred varieties or inbred lines in hybrid combinations, or as parent materials for population improvement.
- List procedures and steps involved in the management of seed increase of lines, varieties or populations from breeder stocks to eventual use in commercial production.
- Understand the potential and organization of interdisciplinary teams for integrated crop improvement programs at the institutional, regional, national and international levels.
- Be able to compare and evaluate different breeding methods for a given breeding objective.