Plant Breeding

Code:

BIOL4016

Acronym:

BIOL4016

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Biology

Instance: 2017/2018 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Biology
Course/CS Responsible:	Master in Functional Biology and Biotechnology of Plants

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
M:BFBP	11	Plano de Estudos M:BFBP_2015_2016.	1	-	3	21	81

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

Knowing the importance of genetic resources as a source for selection, know the methods of conservation of genetic resources and know the major banks in national and international germplasm.

Knowing the importance of the genetic component in crop production.

Teaching methods (experimental design and field layout) to reduce environmental variation, to allow effective genetic selection.

Demonstrate ways of using molecular markers for screening of the genetic material in order to limit environmental impact.

Teaching methods of differential selection for sexually reproducing species (self-pollinating and cross-pollinating plants) and asexual reproducing species, taking into account the different ways to limit the influence of the environment. Knowing how to use the classical and molecular biological methods for improving the genetic component.

Become proficient in the use of the international databases (eg NCBI - National Centre for Biotechnology Information) to design primers that allow the diagnosis of characteristics that may have an impact on production, recognize the existence or absence of genes interest, for the identification of species / varieties (authentication), identification of genetically modified products, recognition of genes responsible for specific diseases, among other applications.

Understand the difference (and conflict) between selection and genetic variability.

Learning outcomes and competences

In the first two chapters the student will learn the importance of genetic variability in the selection and breeding of plants and animals.

In the third chapter the student will learn the methods of selection for different types of plants.

In the last chapter the student will learn to use molecular markers: DNA extraction, primer design, optimization of PCR and sequence analysis.

Working method

Presencial

Pre-requirements (prior knowledge) and co-requirements (common knowledge)

Genetics and Borany

Program

1. Introduction.

Importance of the genetic component in crop performance.

 

1. Genetic variability

Importance of preserving genetic diversity in plants.

Strategies utilized to increase genetic variability.

Techniques utilized to preserve the genetic variability in plants.

National and international institutions specialized in the preservation of genetic resources.

 

1. Classical methods of selection utilized in plant breeding

Sexual propagation in self and cross pollinated species.

Asexual propagation species

Hybrid seed production.

 

1. Assessment of characteristics with molecular markers

Discrimination of cultivars.

Diagnosis of diseases in plants and animals.

Authenticity of food products.

Search for genetically modified organisms.

Mandatory literature

Poehlman John Milton 1910-; Breeding field crops. ISBN: 0-8138-2427-3

Teaching methods and learning activities

Lectures: exposure of themes based on the use of different supporting materials (slides, multimedia, internet).

Practical classes: Bioinformatic tools and software, emasculations and crosses in plants in the greenhouse, presentation and discussion of selected scientific articles by the students.

keywords

Natural sciences > Biological sciences > Biology > Applied biology

Evaluation Type

Evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Exame	100,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	21,00
Frequência das aulas	21,00
Total:	42,00

Calculation formula of final grade

Final grade= Exame (20 valores) 

Examinations or Special Assignments

n/a

Internship work/project

n/a