This course deals with basic principles and concepts of genetic improvement of crop plants through application of basic qualitative and quantitative genetic principles. Different plant breeding methodologies relative to the mode of reproduction of crop plants will be presented and discussed. Application of modern tools in the breeding of crop plants will also be
Course Objectives:
Fostering student understanding of genetic principles underlining plant improvement.
Understanding plant improvement methods including self, cross-pollinated and sexually propagated methods.
Promote critical thinking in relation to improvement strategies and methods.
Discuss examples of problems facing plant breeders and approaches to overcome them.
Intended learning Outcomes and Competences:
At the end of this course students should be able to:
Technical outcomes
Understand the basic concepts and principles in plant breeding.
Considers the importance of plant genetic resources for plant breeding.
Understand plant breeding selection methods.
Understands the main applications of molecular markers in breeding programmes.
Transversal competences
Develop proposal for industry- based problems
Demonstrate ability to work effectively with a team within predefined time constraints.
Develop suitable documentations and reports with high level of details and clarity.
Evaluate and justify the main outcomes of the project.
Textbook:
George Acquaah ,(2007), Principles of plant genetics and breeding, Blackwell Publishing Ltd
Topic One: History and Role of Plant Breeding in SocietyFile
Purpose and expected outcomes :
Agriculture is the deliberate planting and harvesting of plants and herding animals. This human invention has, and continues to, impact on society and the environment. Plant breeding is a branch of agriculture that focuses on manipulating plant heredity to develop new and improved plant types for use by society. People in society are aware and appreciative of the enormous diversity in plants and plant products. They have preferences for certain varieties of flowers and food crops. They are aware that whereas some of this variation is natural, humans with special expertise (plant breeders) create some of it. Generally, also, there is a perception that such creations derive from crossing different plants. The tools and methods used by plant breeders have been developed and advanced through the years. There are milestones in plant breeding technology as well as accomplishments by plant breeders over the years. This introductory chapter is devoted to presenting a brief overview of plant breeding, including a brief history of its development, how it is done, and its benefits to society.
After completing this chapter, the student should have a general understanding of:
The historical perspectives of plant breeding.
The need and importance of plant breeding to society.
Second: In order to have more information about how breeders setup their breeding objectives, please watch the following video
Plant Genetic Resources
Topic Two: Plant Genetic Resources For Plant Breeding
Purpose and expected outcomes
As previously indicated, plant breeders depend on variability for crop improvement. Plant genetic resources (plant germplasm) used in plant breeding are natural resources that are susceptible to erosion from use and abuse. It is important that they be collected, properly used, managed, and conserved to avoid irreparable loss of precious genetic material.
After completing this chapter,the student should be able to :
Discuss the importance of germplasm to plant breeding.
Define the types of germplasm.
Discuss the sources of germplasm for plant breeding.
Discuss the mechanisms for conservation of germplasm.
Discuss the international role in germplasm conservation.
Topic Three: Introduction to Quantitative Genetics
Purpose and expected outcomes
Most of the traits that plant breeders are interested in are quantitatively inherited. It is important to understand the genetics that underlie the behavior of these traits in order to develop effective approaches for manipulating them.
After studying this chapter, the student should be able to:
Distinguish between qualitative traits and quantitative traits.
As previously discussed, self-pollinated species have a genetic structure that has implication in the choice of methods for their improvement. They are naturally inbred and hence inbreeding to fix genes is one of the goals of a breeding program for self-pollinated species in which variability is generated by crossing. However, crossing does not precede some breeding methods for self-pollinated species. The purpose of this chapter is to discuss specific methods of selection for improving self-pollinated species.
After studying this chapter, the student should be able to discuss the characteristics, application, genetics, advantages, and disadvantages of the following methods of selection:
1. the following video shows you how to breed your own variety of tomato. Hybridizing vegetables for your area is a great hobby and a great way to create tomatoes that are best suited for your climate
2. This video picks up the story of crossing in wheat,
Breeding Cross-Pollinated Species
Topic Five: Breeding Cross-Pollinated Species
Purpose and expected outcomes
As previously noted, breeding cross-pollinated species tends to focus on population improvement rather than the improvement of individual plants as is the focus in breeding self-pollinated species. In addition to methods such as mass selection that are applicable to both self- and cross-pollinated species, there are specific methods that are suited to population improvement. Some methods are used less frequently in breeding. Further, certain methods are more effective and readily applied for breeding certain species than others.
After studying this chapter, the student should be able to:
Present the method of mass selection in cross-pollinated species.
Discuss the concept of recurrent selection.
Describe the methods of half- and full-sib selection.
Second: Watch the following video about how to breed corn and tomato
Biotechnology in Plant Breeding
Topic Six: Biotechnology in Plant Breeding
Purpose and expected outcomes
Genes can be transferred from one parent to another through crossing. Such a gene transfer is restrictive in the sense that it occurs only when individuals can be successfully crossed. The recombinant DNA (rDNA) technology, coupled with other molecular breeding tools, theoretically allows scientists to transfer genes from one organism to any other, circumventing the sexual process. For example, a gene from a bacterium can be transferred into a corn genome. Consequently, rDNA technology allows scientists to treat all living things as theoretically belonging to one giant breeding gene pool. The discussion in this chapter is meant to be an overview of rDNA technology and how it is applied in plant breeding.
After studying this chapter, the student should be able to:
Describe the basic steps in genetic engineering technology.
Discuss the enabling technologies of genetic engineering.
Outline the fundamental difference between conventional breeding and genetic engineering.
اعزائي الطلبة ارحب بكم في الامتحان النهائي لمساق مبادئ
تحسين النبات وأود لفت انتباهكم الى التالي: الامتحان عبارة عن 25 سؤال تتكون من
اختيار من متعدد و صح او خطأ كل صفحة تحتوي على ثلاثة اسئلة تأكد من اختيار الإجابة الاصح الوزن الكلي للامتحان هو 25% من علامة
المساق عند الانتقال من صفحة الى الصفحة التي
تليها لا يمكن العودة الى الصفحة السابقة عدم استخدام لوحة المفاتيح الحاسوب
للانتقال من صفحة الى آخرى واستخدام الفأرة للتنقل عدم استخدام تطبيق مودل الخاص بالاجهزة
الذكية عند تأدية الامتحان والدخول من المتصفح ينصح بتأدية الامتحان باستخدام جهاز
حاسوب بدلا من الهاتف التأكد من عدم تفعيل برامج التصحيح
التلقائي على المتصفح والتي قد تؤدي الى مشاكل في اختيار الإجابة التأكد من عدم عمل ترجمة للصفحات من
المتصفح إمكانية وجود اكثر من إجابة لكل سؤال مع امنياتي لكم بالتوفيق والنجاح
اعزائي الطلبة ارحب بكم في الامتحان النهائي لمساق مبادئ
تحسين النبات وأود لفت انتباهكم الى التالي: الامتحان عبارة عن 25سؤال تتكون من
اختيار من متعدد و صح او خطأ كل صفحة تحتوي على ثلاثة اسئلة تأكد من اختيار الإجابة الاصح الوزن الكلي للامتحان هو 25% من علامة
المساق عند الانتقال من صفحة الى الصفحة التي
تليها لا يمكن العودة الى الصفحة السابقة عدم استخدام لوحة المفاتيح الحاسوب
للانتقال من صفحة الى آخرى واستخدام الفأرة للتنقل عدم استخدام تطبيق مودل الخاص بالاجهزة
الذكية عند تأدية الامتحان والدخول من المتصفح ينصح بتأدية الامتحان باستخدام جهاز
حاسوب بدلا من الهاتف التأكد من عدم تفعيل برامج التصحيح
التلقائي على المتصفح والتي قد تؤدي الى مشاكل في اختيار الإجابة التأكد من عدم عمل ترجمة للصفحات من
المتصفح إمكانية وجود اكثر من إجابة لكل سؤال مع امنياتي لكم بالتوفيق والنجاح