Plsc 776 - Advanced Plant Breeding


PLSC 776 - Advanced Plant Breeding
SPRING SEMESTER 2007
INSTRUCTOR: ELIAS M. ELIAS
ROOM 374A, LOFTSGARD HALL, TEL. 231-8159
elias.elias@ndsu.edu

Course Outline

PLANT SCIENCES 776 is a lecture that will cover techniques and methodology involved in breeding self and cross-pollinated crops. The proper application of basic genetic principals to crop improvement will be emphasized.

PRE-REQUISITES:
An introductory course in plant breeding, PLSC 646 and courses in statistics including Field Design I, PLSC 724 are required.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:
	1-	To review several basic concepts that contribute to an understanding of the genetics and breeding of self and cross-pollinated crops.

	2-	Discuss strategies and specific methods utilized in variety and population improvement and related research.

	3-	To develop student interest and awareness of past and present activity reported in the literature on the genetic improvement of self and cross-pollinated crops.

REFERENCES:
	Textbooks on library reserves.

	1-		Principles of cultivar development. Vol. 1. Theory and technique. (ed.) W.R. Fehr.

	2-		Quantitative genetics in maize breeding. A.R. Hallauer and J.B. Miranda, FO.

	Journal articles.

	Class handouts.

GRADING:
	Five homework sets (15%)
	Three one hour exams (20% each)
	Comprehensive final exam (25%)


COURSE OUTLINE

Heritability
	Definitions
	Methods of estimation
	Factors influencing heritability

Genotype X Environment Interaction
	Models
	Implications in testing program
	Stability of genotype performance

Parent selection in a breeding program
	Criteria for selecting parents
	Type of crosses and strategies
	Sources of parental germplasm

Breeding Methodology
	Pedigree method
	Bulk method
	Single-seed descent method
	Backcross method
	Production of doubled haploids

Mixture, Blends, and Composites

Early Generation Testing

Selection Index - Multiple Trait Selection

Linkage and Plant Breeding

Introgression of Exotic Germplasm and Genetic Diversity
	Wide crosses
	Interspecific hybridization
	Winter X Spring crosses

Recurrent Selection In Self Pollinated Crops

Preservation of Germplasm
	Effective population size

Type of Gene Action:
	Partitioning of the total genetic variance
	Experimental designs used to estimate genetic variances
	Diallel Design
	Design I (Nested Design)
	Design II (Factorial Design)

Intrapopualtion Improvement
	Selection theory
			Hardy-Weinberg law
			Normal distribution
			Components of variation
			Genetic advance
	Mass selection
			Genetic gain theory
			Gardner's Grid system
	Half-sib family selection
			Ear-to-row selection
	Modified ear-to-row selection
			Genetic gain theory
	Half-sib recurrent selection (or test cross)
	Testers
	GCA vs SCA
	S₁ progeny recurrent selection
	S₂ family selection
	Full-sib family recurrent selection
			Genetic gain theory

Interpopulation Improvement
	Reciprocal recurrent selection
	Reciprocal recurrent selection based on test cross of half-sib families.
	Reciprocal recurrent selection based on half-sib progenies of prolific plants.
	Reciprocal full-sib recurrent selection

Hybrid Development
	Inbreeding
			Methods of inbreeding
			Inbreeding depression
	Types of hybrid
			Factors in comparing hybrid types
			Calculating number of possible hybrids
			Prediction of double and 3-way hybrid yields from single cross data.
	Topcross testers for inbred line development
			Type of testers
			Stage of testing

Heterosis and Hybrid Breeding

Breeding for Disease Resistance

Molecular Genetics and Plant Breeding
	Utilization of genetic markers