Plant Sciences 781
Quantitative Genetics
Spring 2006
 

Instructor and Contact Information:

 

Marcelo J. Carena

374D Loftsgard Hall

231-8138

marcelo.carena@ndsu.edu

Office Hours: F 2:00-3:00 pm and appointments

Class Time: T, W (beginning 2/8), TH 2:00-2:50 pm,Loftsgard Hall #102

 
January 31 February 2      
 
Course Description:
Applied Quantitative Genetics and Its Implications on Plant Breeding.
 
Course Objectives:

1)
2)

Know How to Apply the Principles of Quantitative Genetics to Plant Breeding
Be Able to Manage a Breeding Program Based on Traits with Complex Inheritance

 
PLSC781 will lead you to estimate the genetic variation in plant populations and how this information can be applied to maximize genetic improvement of germplasm and develop superior genotypes.
 

Evaluation Procedures and Criteria:

The students will be evaluated based on tests and problem set assignements.

Grading

Exam content will be based on lectures and problems.

 
3 Exams 150 Points      
Problems 50 Points      
Total 200 Points      
  If > 180 then A      
  If > 150 then B      
  If > 125 then C      
  If > 100 then D      
  If < 100 then F      
         
Course Schedule:
 
Projected Outline
 
I.
Introduction      
  I. 1. Quantitative Genetics    
  I 2. Plant Breeding and Quantitative Genetics    
  I. 3. Division of Phenotypic Value (Review)    
  I. 4. Systematic View of a Breeding Program    
         
II.
Review of Methods of Estimation    
  II. 1. Means and Variances (Review)    
  II. 2. Covariance of Relatives (Review)    
  II. 3. Relationship between Covariance of Relatives and Genetic Variances    
         
III.
Variability within F2 and Backcross Populations    
  III. 1. Means and Variances    
  III. 2. Genetic Variance and Inbreeding    
         
IV.
 Heritability    
  IV. 1. Broad vs. Narrow sense    
  IV. 2. Individual vs. Progeny-mean basis    
         
V.
 Generation Mean Analysis for Estimation of Genetic Effects    
         
VI.
 Mating Designs for Estimating Genetic Variances    
  VI. 1. Biparental, Nested, North Carolina Design I    
  VI. 2. Cross-classification , North Carolina Design II    
  VI. 3. North Carolina Design III    
  VI. 4. Diallel, partial diallel analyses    
         
VII.
 Selection    
  VII. 1. Selection Response Prediction    
  VII. 2. Selection Response Evaluation    
  VII. 3. Breeding Strategies    
  VII. 3.1. Recurrent Selection Methods for Genetic Improvement    
  VII. 3.2. Pedigree Selection and Distribution of Genetic Variances    
  VII. 3.3. Visual Selection vs. Progeny Evaluation    
  VII. 4. Heritability Index    
         
VIII.
 Correlated Response to Selection    
         
IX.
 Inbreeding Depression and Heterosis    
         
X.
 Heterotic Patterns    
         
Student Recommended Resources:    
         
Falconer, D.S., and T.F.C. Mackay. 1996. Introduction to quantitative genetics. 4 th ed., Longman Group Ltd., Edinburgh , U.K.
         
Hallauer, A.R., and J.B. Miranda Fo. 1988. Quantitative genetics in maize breeding. Iowa State Univ. Press, Ames , IA.
         
Student with Special Needs:    
     
Students with disabilities are asked to inform the instructor as soon as possible. Arrangements can be made, in cooperation with the office of Disabled Student Services, to provide appropriate services.
     
Academic Honesty Statement:    
     
All work in this course must be completed in a manner consistent with the College of Agriculture Honor System (http://www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/colag/honor.htm).