2023
Plant Breeding and Biotechnology
Name: Plant Breeding and Biotechnology
Code: FIT10439M
6 ECTS
Duration: 15 weeks/156 hours
Scientific Area:
Agronomy
Teaching languages: Portuguese
Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese, English
Regime de Frequência: Presencial
Sustainable Development Goals
Learning Goals
Agricultural production now encompasses genetically engineered or transgenic cultivars produced through biotechnology. This unit aims providing the students with a deeply knowledge about key concepts of classical plant breeding techniques and to introduce them into the new technologies of plant breeding, supported by plant biotechnology and molecular biology approaches. Special attention will be given to the in vitro cultures techniques, to the recombinant DNA technology and to the Marked Assisted Selection.
Students should achieve an understanding of; 1) the similarities and differences between methods for traditional and non-traditional crop breeding 2) the techniques required for the development of improved cultivars with or without biotechnological support; 3) the benefits and risks associated with biotechnology.
Students should achieve an understanding of; 1) the similarities and differences between methods for traditional and non-traditional crop breeding 2) the techniques required for the development of improved cultivars with or without biotechnological support; 3) the benefits and risks associated with biotechnology.
Contents
Genetic bases of plant breeding - Review of basic knowledge
Breeding Methods - self-pollinated, cross-pollinated and asexually propagated crops
Biotechnology and genetic engineering in plant breeding - Applications of Plant Genetic Engineering and biotechnology. In vitro culture techniques. Gene screening, isolation, synthesis, gene cloning and gene transfer. Biosafety issues of transgenic crops.
Molecular Breeding - Maker assisted selection
Breeding for specific proposes - breeding for resistance/tolerance to biotic and abiotic stress. Genetic, physiological and molecular mechanisms of disease and insect pest resistance. Breeding for tolerance to abiotic stresses: moisture, salinity, alkalinity, water logging, temperature etc. Morphological, physiological and genetic basis of abiotic stresses.
Breeding Methods - self-pollinated, cross-pollinated and asexually propagated crops
Biotechnology and genetic engineering in plant breeding - Applications of Plant Genetic Engineering and biotechnology. In vitro culture techniques. Gene screening, isolation, synthesis, gene cloning and gene transfer. Biosafety issues of transgenic crops.
Molecular Breeding - Maker assisted selection
Breeding for specific proposes - breeding for resistance/tolerance to biotic and abiotic stress. Genetic, physiological and molecular mechanisms of disease and insect pest resistance. Breeding for tolerance to abiotic stresses: moisture, salinity, alkalinity, water logging, temperature etc. Morphological, physiological and genetic basis of abiotic stresses.
Teaching Methods
Theoretical and practical classes; Use of the E-learning platform; Conferences by invited speakers.
Evaluation:
Class Attendance - 10%
Scientific and technical quality of monographic report - 20%
Oral presentation of monographic report - 20%
Written assignments - 50%
Evaluation:
Class Attendance - 10%
Scientific and technical quality of monographic report - 20%
Oral presentation of monographic report - 20%
Written assignments - 50%
