MBG*4160 Plant Breeding

course node page

The following description is for the course offering in Fall 2022 and is subject to change. It is provided for information only. The course outline distributed to the class at the beginning of the semester describes the course content and delivery, and defines the methods and criteria to be used in establishing the final grades for the course.
 

This course examines the application of genetic principles to plant improvement. Topics include breeding objectives, mating systems, selection, testing and germplasm maintenance of horticultural and crop plants. 

This course addresses basic genetic principles important for plant breeding, and selection methodology for self- and cross-pollinated crops.  Students will learn concepts that can be applied to the breeding of many plants.  Laboratories will offer opportunities to conduct a selection experiment, learn crossing techniques, review literature, apply statistics, and understand unique aspects of breeding several crops.  

Pre-Requisite(s): (MBG*2040 or MBG*2400), STAT*2040

 

Instructors:

Helen Booker
David Wolyn

Teaching Assistant:

Credit Weight:

0.50

Course Level:

  • Undergraduate

Academic Department (or campus):

Department of Plant Agriculture

Campus:

Guelph

Semester Offering:

  • Fall

Class Schedule and Location:

Please refer to WebAdvisor for class schedule and location.

Learning outcomes:

By the end of this course, you should be able to:

  1. Identify characteristics of self- and cross-pollinated plants
  2. Identify sources of genetic variation to conduct a breeding program
  3. Determine breeding methodology appropriate for plants with different mating systems
  4. Conduct basic statistical analyses related to plant breeding
  5. Analyze journal articles related to cultivar development
  6. Conduct and analyze a selection experiment
  7. Communicate background information and original ideas related to breeding a specific crop

Lecture Content:

Topics to be covered in lectures include:

  • Evolution and Domestication
  • Impact of plant breeding on agriculture
  • Centers of origin and diversity
  • Gene banks
  • Variation in plants
    • quantitative
    • qualitative
  • Modes of reproduction/genetics of breeding
  • Self-pollinated crops
    • selection during segregating generations
    • selection following fixation of alleles
  • Cross-pollinated crops
    • Hardy Weinberg equilibrium
    • gain from selection
    • population improvement
      • individual plant selection
      • family selection
  • Inbreeding and heterosis
  • Cytoplasmic male sterility
  • Hybrids
  • Polyploidy
  • Marker Assisted Breeding
  • Disease resistance
  • Seeds Act and regulations
Labs & Seminars:

Topics to be covered in labs include:

  1. Rapid cycling brassica
  2. Statistics 
  3. Pollination of crop plants
  4. Estimates of heritability
  5. No lab 
  6. Diversity and breeding in flax
  7. Journal article 
  8. Rapid cycling brassicas
  9. Journal article 
  10. Asparagus breeding 
  11. Oral reports 
  12. Oral reports 

Course Assignments and Tests:

  Contribution to Final Grade

Quizzes

20%

Final Exam

30%

Written Report

15%

Oral Presentation

10%

Lab: Brassicas

10%

Lab: Statistics

 5%

Lab: Heritability

 5%

Lab: Journal article

 2.5%
Lab: Journal article

2.5%

Final examination:

Please refer to WebAdvisor for exam schedule and location.

Course Resources:

Required Texts:

Not applicable.

Recommended Texts:

Not applicable.

Lab Manual:

Not applicable.

Other Resources:

All lecture notes and labs are posted on CourseLink.

Field Trips:

Not applicable.

Additional Costs:

Not applicable.

Course Policies:

Grading Policies

All assignments are due at the beginning of class on the prescribed dates. Late penalty is 10% per days from the due date and time.  Late assignments will not be accepted after 3 days.

Course Policy on Group Work:

All submitted work is to be an individual effort with no collaboration or sharing of answers; this includes use of materials from previous years. Laboratory data may be collected as a group, however, analysis and written lab reports are individual efforts.

Course Policy regarding use of electronic devices and recording of lectures:

Texting and use of electronic devices, except for laptops, are prohibited in lecture and lab.

Electronic recording of classes is expressly forbidden without consent of the instructor.  When recordings are permitted they are solely for the use of the authorized student and may not be reproduced, or transmitted to others, without the express written consent of the instructor.

Other Course Information:

Assessment Details:
Quizzes (20%)
Bi-weekly quizzes will be given at the start of class on Fridays. The best 4 of 5 quizzes will count towards the final grade.
 
Rapid Cycling Brassicas (10%)
A population of B. rapa which matures in 35 to 40 days will allow you to conduct a plant breeding experiment. With this genetic material you will perform recurrent selection and estimate gains and realized heritabilities.
 
Term Project (25%)
In groups of two, students will choose a crop plant. First, each student working independently will submit on Oct 21 a written report on the centres of origin and diversity, natural pollination biology and artificial hybridization methods for the crop (15% of final grade). Second, groups will prepare 15 minute oral presentations on their crops to be given in the laboratory sessions during the last two weeks of the semester (10%). The presentations will include material in the written report as well as the development of a breeding methodology to solve a specific problem of the crop. The two students will share responsibilities for one oral presentation.
 
Heritability (5%)
Students will be given data sets and instructed in the calculation of heritability
 
Statistics in Plant Breeding (5%)
Students will calculate and interpret some basic statistical parameters commonly used in plant breeding.
 
Pollination of Crop Plants (0%)
Students will perform emasculation and pollination of some common crop plants in order to practice some common breeding techniques.
 
Discussion of Journal Articles (5%)
Students will be asked to analyze journal articles. Questions will be assigned before lab and answers will be collected at the start of lab. Answers do not need to be correct but students must show preparation before coming to lab. Each of the two exercises is worth 2.5 points towards the final grade.

University Policies

Academic Consideration

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The Academic Misconduct Policy is detailed in the University Calenders:

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