Genetics and Plant Breeding

To achieve the aims of the course unit and the competences expected from the students, the teaching learning process is based on:

1. theoretical and practical lectures in which the teacher transmits theoretical concepts, followed by practical application by the student;

2. the supervision of an individual written assignment (15000 characters, including spaces) on a crop*; and proposed resolution of some problem
introduced by the actors involved in the seed sector (15000 characters, including spaces);

3. study visits or invitations to the actors involved in the area will be made whenever possible.
*List of crops for the realization of the work: Corn, Rice, Wheat, Vine, Apple, Pear, Brassicae, Tomato, Carrot, Beans, Potato, Chickpea, Bluegrass, Clover, Olive, Chestnut, Sweet Potato, Citrus, Melon, Strawberry, Almond, Walnut, Stone Pine, Roses. Other crops must be
confirmed by the teacher

Plant breeding and breeding activities are transdisciplinary activities, consequently their actions have impacts on the environment, society and academia. Their study was divided into the following objectives:
1.Knows the principles of Quantitative Genetics;
2.Knows the genetic resources and how to obtain them;
3.Know some of the most used techniques in Plant Breeding;
4.Recognizes the different breeding systems;
5.Recognises the improved varieties and methodologies for their procurement;
6.Knows the activities of production and sale/self-supply of seeds.

Introduction: Basic concepts, history and results obtained by the MP. Current challenges.
Genetics: Population genetics and quantitative genetics.
Genetic resources: Conservation and valorisation of plant material. Main strategies for genetic conservation. Descriptors and data collection.
Plant Breeding: Floral biology and genetic control of the reproductive system. Genetic structure of populations as a determinant of breeding methods.
Breeding systems: Differentiation between breeding systems and their enhancement through the vectors: socioeconomic. environmental, climatic, agronomic and ethical values.
Improved varieties and the methodologies for obtaining them. Varietal certification, official homologation and control of multiplication. VAU and DHE tests. National catalogue and variety list. Database of organic seed and heterogeneous materials.
Knows the activities of production and sale/self-supply of seeds: cleaning, conservation and packaging of seeds.

NAO