Plant Breeding and Biotechnology
Instructor: Dr. Russell Freed, 384C PSS Bldg, 355-2383, freed@msu.edu
Meeting Times:
Lecture: MW 8:00-9:20
Lab:
W 3:00-4:50
Course Objectives: Learn how genetic diversity is manipulated to develop new crop cultivars that enhance production systems around the world. Review the opportunities and challenges of biotechnology in crop improvement programs. Discuss the importance of plant breeding to our food system, economy and environment.
Grading Policy:
Exams: two midterms (1/3,2/3) 40%
Final
.....25%
Lab exercises
..20%
Report
.
.15%
Syllabus:
History of Plant Breeding
Centers of Origin/diversity
World food supply/nutrition
Reproduction systems in plants
Biotechnology
Gene action
Genetic variation
Heritability
Polyploidy
Review and test
Breeding systems self-pollinated
Breeding systems cross-pollinated
Breeding systems vegetatively propagated
Disease and pest breeding
Stress resistance breeding
Green Revolution
Testing and cultivar release
Seed propagation programs
History of biotechnology
Plant transformation
Review and test
Biotechnology and world food supply
Biotechnology and pest resistance
Biotechnology
Tissue culture
Food safety
Bioethics
Legal implications (IPR)
Environmental issues
Future plant breeders
Laboratories:
Breeding programs around the world
Field plot design/computer
Cereal breeding making crosses
Biotechnology
Biotechnology
Breeding for food quality
Breeding vegetable crops
Testing for GMO
Micropropagation
Biotechnology
Insect breeding
Disease breeding
Turfgrass breeding
Bioethics debate
Biotechnology debate