Plant Breeding (CRSS 4040/6040)

Instructor: J. H. Bouton (Office Hours: By appointment; Rm. 249 CAGT Bldg.; phone: 369-5808; email: jbouton@.uga.edu)

Semester: Fall 2004

Textbook: Principles of Cultivar Improvement (Vol. 1) - Fehr

Description: Fundamental principles and theories utilized in the science of plant breeding and cultivar development and the role plant breeding plays in crop improvement.

Outline:

1. Selection of crop species, planning objectives, and background information.
   • Role of plant breeding in agriculture (p. 1-10)
2. Mode of reproduction (p. 11-25)
   • Gene action, G X E, heritability, and genetic gain (p. 26-58, 80-100, 247-255)
   • Mass selection and recurrent selection (p. 172-198, 328-331)
   • Inbreeding and heterosis (p. 106-119)
   • Polyploidy (p. 59-79)
   • Biotechnology methods (handouts)
3. Collection and development of parents and parental populations
   • Parent selection (p. 120-124).
   • Plant introduction and genetic diversity (p. 125-135; 469-476).
   • Population formation (p. 136-155)
4. Selection and breeding to develop advanced, experimental germplasm.
   • Screening and screening procedures (handouts)
   • Breeding for pest resistance (p. 304-314)
   • Backcrossing (p. 360-376)
   • Mutation breeding (p. 287-303)
   • Inbreeding procedures (p. 315-359)
   • Development of self-pollinated cultivars (p. 388-400)
   • Development of open-pollinated and synthetic cultivars (p. 417-427)
   • Development of hybrid cultivars (p. 428-449)
   • Development of asexually propagated cultivars (p. 381-387)
   • Development of multiline and blend cultivars (p. 401-416)
5. Testing of advanced, elite lines and experimental cultivars.
   • Field plot techniques (p. 261-285).
6. Release and dissemination of the most superior germplasm(s) as a cultivar.
   • Release procedures and naming of improved cultivars (p. 450-454, 500-505)
   • Distribution and marketing of improved cultivars (p. 454-457, handouts).
   • Plant Patenting and Plant Variety Protection (p. 457-460, 492-499, handouts).
   • Seed Certification and Seed Laws (p. 460-465, handouts).

Grades and Grading:

Two, one-hour exams and a final exam will be given during the semester. Each of these exams will comprise 25% of the final grade. A paper, written on an agreed-upon subject, will make up the remaining 25 % of the final grade . Missed exams are made up on a case by case basis.

Final grades will be assigned as follows:

A = 90-100; B = 80-89; C = 70-79; D = 60-69; F = < 60