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Plant Breeding

Course developers

Course abstract

Understanding the fundamental principles of plant breeding and the significance of varieties in the production of sustainable crops and horticultural products is the objective of this course.

The novodays and historical significance of plant breeding is imparted to the students. Subjects pertaining to the primary phases of breeding and the various types of commercially available plant varieties (including pure line varieties, population varieties, hybrid, clone, synthetic, and multiline varieties), as well as their formation, maintenance, and registration, are covered.
The course covers different stages of breeding. The importance of raw material in breeding is emphasized, including mutagenesis, polyploidy, remote hybridization, as methods for broadening the genetic diversity of germplasm.
Additionally, the most crucial breeding objectives—increased yield and quality—and resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses—are introduced to the students. Additionally, the course delves into the intricacies of choosing the most economically significant vegetable and field species.
Students gain an understanding of the significance and practical implementation of biotechnology techniques in modern breeding as a means to accelerate the breeding process.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

After finishing the course, students will have knowledge about the main principles of breeding; the main schemes and methods of plant breeding and the principles of choosing the right breeding approach.
Skills will have the ability to solve genetics tasks and to compile a breeding plan (correct breeding method, scheme depending on peculiarities of the species).
Students will be competent to be involved into the plant breeding process, to distinguish and to be able to evaluate differences between different plant varieties. Students will acquire the competence to determine the aim of breeding and direction of work specialization; perform planning of breeding process and to do evaluation of breeding material.
Students will have knowledge about different modern breeding methods (biotechnology, molecular biology tools) and the use of these methods in both traditional breeding, as well as for obtaining genetically modified plant varieties.

Course Content(Calendar)

Kursa saturs (kalendārs) / Course Content (Calendar)

1. Definition, the aim and objectives of plant breeding. Historical development of plant breeding and its significance nowadays. Main steps of plant breeding. Plant ideotype (lectures, 2 hours).
2. Creation of plant ideotype for different crop species (seminar, 2 hours)
3. Modes of reproduction. Landraces and modern varieties. Types of cultivars: pure-line cultivars, open-pollinated cultivars, hybrid cultivars, clonal cultivars, composite-cross cultivars (lectures, 2 hours).
4. Breeding and maintenance of pure-line cultivars. Bulk and Pedigree breeding schemes. Breeding schemes of wheat, barley, tomato, peas (lectures, 2 hours).
5. Breeding of open-pollinated population varieties. Breeding schemes based on mass selection and individual selection. Breeding schemes of rye, red clover, carrot. Breeding and maintenance of composite-cross varieties (lectures, 2 hours).
6. Breeding of hybrid cultivars. Hybrid breeding scheme. Inbreeding and heterosis. Hybrid seed production. Breeding schemes of tomato, cucumber, maize and rye (lectures, 2 hours).
7. Breeding and maintenance of clonal cultivars. Breeding schemes of potatoes, strawberry, apples (lectures, 2 hours).
8. Mutations in plant breeding. Types of mutation. Mutation breeding scheme (lectures, 2 hours).
9. Polyploidy in plant breeding. Interspecific and intergeneric hybridization (lectures, 2 hours).
10. Breeding for different traits: yield, quality, resistance to abiotic and biotic factors (lectures, 2 hours).
11. Registration of varieties: DUS and VCU tests. Breeder seed production. Inclusion in the national catalogues local landraces and varieties (lectures, 2 hours).
12. Community Plant Variety Office (hereinafter - CPVO) variety testing protocols and International Union for the Protection of New Plant Varieties (hereinafter - UPOV) variety testing guidelines for wheat, potatoes, apples, carrots (seminar, 2 hours)
13. Methods for accelerating the breeding process: tissue cultures, DNA markers, GMOs, CRSPR-Cas9, etc. (lectures, 2 hours).
14. Practical organization of the breeding process. Techniques and equipment of field and greenhouse experiments. Data analysis (lectures, 2 hours).
15. Breeding of field crop species: wheat, barley, field beans, rape etc. – breeding aims, germplasm sources, types of varieties, breeding objectives, (Seminar, 2 hours).
16. Breeding of cucumbers, tomatoes, cabbage, apples, pears, strawberries of vegetables: – breeding aims, germplasm sources, types of varieties, breeding objectives, (Seminar, 2 hours).

Requirements for awarding credit points

Exam. Students are allowed to take the exam if all the tests and seminars have been successfully passed; students must complete all the practical works that are planned during the course.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

Students carry out group and/or individual practical works during the classes and complete the necessary protocols.
During the course, students have to conduct study literature studies about one specific species. Obtained information must be presented in the form of and presentation.
Individual work preparing for tests, seminars and exam.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

The final grade of the course depends on the results of tests, presentations, as well as on the result of the final exam. The weight of the final exam grade is higher compared to the weight of other tests.
The practical works are assessed by both student activity during the class, and by presentation. Practical works are graded with – credited / uncredited.
Exam may be taken only if the other tests and conditions of practical works have been successfully completed.

Compulsory reading

1. Caligari P. An Introduction to Plant Breeding. Oxford: Blackwell Publishing. 2009. 209 p. Ir LBTU FB 1 eks.
2. Plant Breeding. J.Brown., P.Caligari, H.Campos. Wiley Blackwell, 2014. 278 p. Nav LBTU FB. Ir LUB.
3. Fruit Breeding. Vol. I: Tree and Tropical Fruit. Ed. by J. Janic and J. Moore. New York etc.: John Wiley and Sons, 1996. 616 p. Ir LBTU FB 1 eks.

Further reading

1. Dictionary of Plant Breeding. Rolf H.J.Schlegel. CRC Press, 2010. 571 p. [tiešsaiste] [24.09.2019.] Pieejams: https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/9780429150708
2. Chahal G.S., Gosal S.S. Principles and procedures of plant breeding. Harrow, U.K: Alpha Science International Ltd, 2002. 604. p. Nav liel. b-kās
3. Plant Mutation Breeding and Biotechnology. Q.Y. Shu, B.P.Forster, H.Nakagawa. FAO, 2011. Ir LBTU FB 1 eks.

Periodicals and other sources

1. Plant Breeding. Published by John Wiley and Sons. ISSN (printed): 0179-9541. ISSN (electronic): 1439-0523.
2. Euphytica Published by Springer. ISSN (printed): 0014-2336. ISSN (electronic): 1573-5060. Pieejams LBTU FB abonētajā datubāze SpringerLink http://www.springerlink.com/content/0014-2336/