• Semester 1 (Day)

Pre-requisite: 62022/62222

Synopsis

The  unit  allows students to develop skills in both the  theorectical
and  practical aspects of plant breeding.  The unit commences  with  a
review  of  the reproductive biology of plants.  The genetic structure
and  manipulation of plants is then studied, as is the application  of
modern  techniques  in  molecular biology and genetic  engineering  to
plant  breeding.   Practical work in the course includes  a  study  of
plant  breeding.   Practical work in the course includes  a  study  of
plant  breeding  strategies,  visits to  local  plant  breeding  field
stations  and  the  isolation  of  plant  genetic  material  for   DNA
fingerprinting.   During  the course, the  history  and  evolution  of
several   major  crops  is  followed  to  demonstrate  the   practical
application of many theoretical concepts in plant breeding.