Module Details

Module Code: AGRI8009
Title: Plant Breeding
Long Title: Plant Breeding
NFQ Level: Advanced
Valid From: Semester 1 - 2016/17 ( September 2016 )
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits: 5
Field of Study: 6210 - Agriculture
Module Delivered in: 1 programme(s)
Module Description: This module covers material relating to classical and modern approaches to professional plant breeding and selection. It also discusses plant cultivar introductions and issues relating to protection and availability of plant material.
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Discuss the fundamental elements involved in heredity.
LO2 Critique the classical approaches to plant improvement.
LO3 Critique the modern approaches to plant improvement.
LO4 Evaluate the decision making process in choice of plant improvement methods.
LO5 Debate the legal, intellectual property protection and ethical aspects of new plant variety introductions.
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named MTU module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module. You may not earn additional credit for the same learning and therefore you may not enrol in this module if you have successfully completed any modules in the incompatible list.
No incompatible modules listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Requirements

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed. You may not enrol on this module if you have not acquired the learning specified in this section.
No requirements listed
 
Indicative Content
Heredity
Principles of genetics. Mendel and early progress in genetics. Hybrid generations, F1 & F2. Meiosis. Homozygous and heterozygous progeny. Punnett square. Dominance. Epistasis. Quantitative inheritance. Structure of DNA. Protein formation. Mutation. Population genetics.
Classical Breeding
Population structure in plants. gene recombination. Variation in species. History of plant improvement. Cereals, vegetable, fruit and medicinal breeding. Green revolution. Characteristics of crops and their wild relatives. Grower and consumer needs. Principles of experimental design and statistical analysis in breeding. determining heritable elements. Quantitative inheritance. Line, open and hybrid varieties. Clones. Backcrossing. Inducing polyploidy. Regional adaptations of cultivars. Limitations of classical breeding.
Modern Breeding
Understanding cells and heritability in breeding. Plant Biotechnology. Discuss: Creation of variation, selection, evaluation, release, multiplication and distribution of improved crops. Marker assisted selection. Reverse breeding and double haploids. Protoplast fusion. Embryo rescue and assisted pollination. Genomics. Bioinformatics. Agrobacterium and biolistic (gene gun) transformation. Proteomics and their role in plant improvement.
New Plant Introductions
Need for early planning to optimise outcomes and reduce risks. Intellectual property protection of new varieties. Distinctness, Uniformity and Stability (DUS) characteristics. Value of cultivation and use (VCU). International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) and varietal registration. Plant breeders rights. Plant patents. Trials and recommended lists. Seed certification. Farm unit saved seed. Heritage varieties and their conservation. Plant breeding for Organic production. Breeding for abiotic and biotic stress tolerance. Genetically modified organisms. World plant breeding. Ethics and ownership in food, medicinal and other crops.
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework40.00%
End of Module Formal Examination60.00%

Assessments

Coursework
Assessment Type Multiple Choice Questions % of Total Mark 20
Timing Week 6 Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,5
Assessment Description
Concepts of Plant Breeding
Assessment Type Essay % of Total Mark 20
Timing Week 10 Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4,5
Assessment Description
Discuss current Plant Breeding methods
End of Module Formal Examination
Assessment Type Formal Exam % of Total Mark 60
Timing End-of-Semester Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4,5
Assessment Description
End-of-Semester Final Examination
Reassessment Requirement
Repeat examination
Reassessment of this module will consist of a repeat examination. It is possible that there will also be a requirement to be reassessed in a coursework element.

The University reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Discussion of the area of Plant Breeding Every Week 2.00 2
Lab Contact Investigation of Heredity and Plant Breeding Techniques Every Week 1.00 1
Lecturer Supervised Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Learner revises lectures and labs. Learner prepares material and results for discussion from labs in previous weeks, where applicable Every Week 4.00 4
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 3.00
Workload: Part Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact No Description Every Week 1.00 1
Lab Contact Investigation of Heredity and Plant Breeding Techniques Every Second Week 0.50 1
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Learner revises lectures and labs. Learner prepares material and results for discussion from labs in previous weeks, where applicable Every Week 5.00 5
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 6.50
Total Weekly Contact Hours 1.50
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Brown J., Caligari P., and Campos H.. (2014), Plant Breeding, 2nd. Wiley Blackwell, [ISBN: 978-047065830].
Supplementary Book Resources
  • Acquaah G.. (2012), Principles of Plant Genetics and Breeding, 2nd Edition. Wiley Blackwell, [ISBN: 978-047066475].
  • Borém A., and Fritsche-Neto R.. (2014), Biotechnology and Plant Breeding, Elsevier, Amsterdam, [ISBN: 9780124186729].
  • Rolf Schlegel,. (2009), Dictionary of Plant Breeding, Second Edition. CRC Press, p.584pages, [ISBN: 978-1439802427].
  • Robert W. Allard. (1999), Principles of plant breeding, Second. J. Wiley, New York, [ISBN: 978-0471023098].
  • Cassells, A.C. and Jones, P. W.. (1995), The Methodology of Plant Genetic Manipulation: Criteria for Decision Making., Kluwer Academic Publishing, , Dordrecht, [ISBN: 978-940104159].
  • Jaime Prohens and Fernando Nuez. (2008), Vegetables, Springer, New York, [ISBN: 978-0387722917].
  • Denis J. Murphy. (2007), People, plants & genes, Oxford University Press, Oxford, [ISBN: 0199207143].
Supplementary Article/Paper Resources
  • Jones, P. W. and Cassells, A. C.. (1995), Criteria for decision making in crop improvement programmes — Technical considerations, Euphytica, 85, 1-3, p.465-476.
Other Resources
  • Journal, Editors-in-Chief : Jens Léon and Frank Ordon. Plant Breeding, Blackwell.
 
Module Delivered in
Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
CR_BHORT_8 Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Horticulture 1 Group Elective 1