Course Syllabus

University of Saskatchewan

PLSC 411.3

Plant Breeding

2021-22 Term 2

 

Instructor:             Aaron Beattie

                              Office: Ag. Bldg., Rm. 3C18

                              Office Hours: call or email first (while we are in a remote teaching situation we can schedule 1-on-1 Webex meetings)

                              Phone: 966-2102

                              Email: aaron.beattie@usask.ca

 

Class Times:          Lectures:    Tu/Th 10:00 - 11:20 am             Ag. Bldg., Rm. 2D77

                               Lab:            Mon 1:30 - 4:20 pm                    Ag. Bldg., Rm. 4C77

 

Pre-requisites:      BIOL 226 and PLSC 405 (highly recommended) or permission of the instructor.

 

Remote Teaching:

The initial plan is to hold synchronous lectures and labs until the university allows in-person teaching.  Until that time, I will record the lectures and post them to the course website, along with the lecture slides, at the beginning of the scheduled lecture times.  You can of course view these as your time permits.  I would like us to meet via Webex during the scheduled lab period to discuss the Lab Exercises and Projects mentioned below and any other questions you may have regarding lecture content.  If we remain in a remote teaching situation for the term, then we will write the two Quizzes and Final mentioned below in an on-line format during the scheduled class time on the dates indicated.  As such, you will need to be available during those times.

 

Objectives:

The objective of this course is to familiarize students with fundamental aspects of plant breeding including historical perspectives, applied plant genetics, breeding objectives and methods, selection theory and practice, and modern genetic techniques.  Upon completion of this course, students should:

 

  • know the main types of breeding objectives for field crops,
  • understand how to design basic programs for selecting superior progeny of self and cross pollinated crops, and how to tailor programs to specific problems,
  • be able to use statistics when evaluating breeding material,
  • understand the application of plant genetics to plant improvement including linkage, quantitative vs. qualitative inheritance, population genetics and molecular genetics,
  • have acquired some basic skills and enhanced understanding of the basic concepts of plant breeding through hands-on activities and,
  • have the ability to think critically as demonstrated by evaluating information from multiple perspectives, drawing reasonable conclusions, and defending them rationally.

 

Text:

 There is no one text required.  The following are useful:

  1. Acquaah, G. 2012. Principles of Plant Genetics and Breeding, 2nd John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., West Sussex, UK. (eBook)
  2. Bradshaw, J.E. 2016. Plant Breeding: Past, Present and Future. Springer International Publishing. (SB123eb; eBook)
  3. Fleury, D. and R. Whitford. 2014. Plant Breeding: Methods and Protocols. Humana Press. (QK1eb; eBook)
  4. Stoskopf, N.C., Tomes, D.T., and B.R. Christie. 2019. Plant Breeding: Theory and Practice. CRC Press. (eBook)

 

Course Website on PAWS:

I use this to communicate, upload lecture slides and videos of the lectures, and post assignments/ quizzes, interesting links, and answers to assignments/quizzes.

 

Lab:

The lab portion of the class will consist of hands-on plant breeding activities including statistical analyses, pathology and molecular genetic analysis.  Some work may need to be carried on outside of the scheduled lab period.  A lab schedule and outline of assignments will be handed out during the first lab period (January 17).

 

Grading:

1. Quizzes - 20 %

Two short answer-based quizzes will be written during the assigned lecture period and will cover class material discussed since the previous quiz.  If we are in a remote teaching situation the quizzes will be posted at the beginning of the scheduled lecture period on the course website and completed quizzes will be emailed to me by the end of the lecture period, preferably as a PDF or Word document.  Dates: February 10, March 17.

2. Projects, Lab Reports and Lab Exercises - 40%

Projects, lab reports and lab exercises will be carried out throughout the semester on topics related to those covered in class.  These will be explained at the first lab (January 17).

3. Final - 40%

The final will be a 3-hour exam covering all topics covered during the course including lectures and labs. It will include short answer and essay questions.  You will be graded on your ability to integrate and apply the material, as well as, on your understanding of it.  Answers should be as clear and concise as possible. If we are in a remote teaching situation the final will be posted at the beginning of the scheduled 3-hour exam period on the course website and completed finals will be emailed to me by the end of the exam period, preferably as a PDF or Word document.

 

Course Outline:

The lecture portion of the course will be used for the introduction of specific concepts in plant breeding.

 

Topics:

  1. Introduction to Plant Breeding

 

  1. Setting Objectives

 

  1. Gathering and Creating Variability
  • gene pools, germplasm collections, PNTs

 

  1. Selection
  • response to selection, heritability

               

  1. Breeding Methods for Self-Pollinated Crops
  • variation, inbred line development, backcrossing
  • genomic selection or phenotyping crop root systems (guest lecture)
  • breeding for biotic and abiotic stress (guest lecture)

 

  1. Breeding Methods for Cross-Pollinated Crops
  • mass selection, recurrent selection
  • heterosis, combining ability, hybrid seed production
  • synthetic cultivars
  • clonally propagated crops, apomixis
  • forage breeding (guest lecture by Dr. Bill Biligetu)

 

  1. Variety Registration
  • variety registration procedures

 

  1. Commercialization
  • pedigreed seed system, Plant Breeders’ Rights

 

Academic Integrity:

As usual, all students are expected to have read and understood the information regarding academic integrity which can be found through the University website (https://library.usask.ca/academic-integrity#AboutAcademicIntegrity).  The content on the website has been updated with on-line learning in mind. Additionally, please be familiar with the Regulations on Academic Student Misconduct (https://secretariat.usask.ca/student-conduct-appeals/academic-misconduct.php) and the Standard of Student Conduct in Non-Academic Matters and Procedures for Resolution of Complaints and Appeals (https://secretariat.usask.ca/student-conduct-appeals/academic-misconduct.php#IXXIIAPPEALS).

 

Remote Learning:

Given the current learning environment, it is especially important to have the appropriate technology for remote learning. The list of recommendations can be found at: https://students.usask.ca/remote-learning/tech-requirements.php.

 

Remote lab sessions will be recorded and made available to students in the course for viewing via the course website.  Please remember that course recordings should not be downloaded, copied, or shared without the permission of the instructor.  For information about class recording please consult: https://policies.usask.ca/policies/academic-affairs/academic-courses.php#5ClassRecordings.

 

You may also find the following links helpful this term as they apply to on-line learning:

University library learning and academic support: https://library.usask.ca/support/learning.php

Remote learning support information: https://students.usask.ca/remote-learning/index.php

Remote learning tutorial: https://libguides.usask.ca/remote_learning

Study skills materials for online learning: https://libguides.usask.ca/studyskills

Principles to guide respectful online learning interactions: https://teaching.usask.ca/remote-teaching/netiquette.php

 

Land Acknowledgement:

As we gather over the next four months, we acknowledge we are on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the Métis. We pay our respect to the First Nations and Métis ancestors of this place and reaffirm our relationship with one another.