• Semester 1 (Day)

Pre-requisite: 62022/62222

Synopsis

The unit allows students to develop skills in both the theoretical 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 strategies, visits to local plant breeding field stations and
the isolation of plant genetic material for DNA fingerprinting. During
the unit, the history and evolution of several major crops is followed
to  demonstrate the practical application of many theoretical concepts
in plant breeding.