Syllabus

BI1296 Plant Biology for Breeding and Protection, 15.0 Credits

Subjects

Education cycle

Advanced study in the main field

Grading scale

Language

Prior knowledge

Objectives

The course focuses on plant biology for breeding and protection in a global perspective. Bioinformatics with focus on analyzing –omics data to improve and better understand plant breeding and protection will be an important part of the course. Techniques, including GM and genome editing, and their applications in plant breeding and protection will be evaluated and discussed. At the end of this course the student(s) should be able to:

• Explain plant genetics and ploidy

• Evaluate and compare plant breeding methods for improving target trait(s)

• Classify plants as per breeding and propagation systems, and identify sources of trait variation for further use in plant breeding

• Define and evaluate plant disease diagnosis and control

• Describe the biology of plant pathogens and pests and their interaction with plants

• Explain modern breeding tools in plant breeding and protection

• Analyze omics data for plant breeding and protection by bioinformatics

• Communicate plant breeding and protection to a broad audience

• Discuss ethical questions related to plant breeding and protection

Content

The course content consists primarily of the following points:

• Process of plant breeding (overview, genetics and genetic resource enhancement etc.)

• Genotype-by-environment interaction and adaptation to environmental stresses.

• Pre/Breeding programs in Sweden and worldwide

• Biology of plant pathogens and pests

• Plant disease diagnosis, management and control

• Plant pathogen interactions

• Plant immunity

• Modern breeding tools, including GM and genome editing, and their application in plant breeding and protection

• Ethical questions related to plant breeding and protection and breeders’ rights

• Bioinformatics and –omics data for plant breeding and protection

Laboratory work, student project and seminars are mandatory.

Grading form

Formats and requirements for examination

To pass the course, approved written and/or oral assignments, approved participation in the mandatory parts and passed written examination are needed.

• If a student has failed an examination, the examiner has the right to issue supplementary assignments. This applies if it is possible and there are grounds to do so.

• The examiner can provide an adapted assessment to students entitled to study support for students with disabilities following a decision by the university. Examiners may also issue an adapted examination or provide an alternative way for the students to take the exam.

• If this syllabus is withdrawn, SLU may introduce transitional provisions for examining students admitted based on this syllabus and who have not yet passed the course.

• For the assessment of an independent project (degree project), the examiner may also allow a student to add supplemental information after the deadline for submission. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.

Other information

• The right to participate in teaching and/or supervision only applies for the course instance the student was admitted to and registered on.

• If there are special reasons, students are entitled to participate in components with compulsory attendance when the course is given again. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.

Responsible department

Department of Plant Protection Biology

Cooperating departments: