Plant Biology for Breeding and Protection
Modern agriculture is the basis for the vast majority of the earth’s food and feed production, and can provide new bio-friendly materials and chemicals. Advancements in plant protection and plant breeding will be pivotal to secure crops and increase yield without increasing inputs and lessening the environmental and climate impacts. Today agriculture stands for around 25% of global greenhouse emissions.
This course focuses on plant biology for breeding and protection in a global perspective. Labs will include bioinformatics exercises to better understand plant systems for improved food security and tackling climate change.
Information from the course leader
Welcome and note on literature
Welcome to the course page of Plant Biology for Breeding and Protection! The course literature will be based on research and review articles as well as book chapters and the book Plant Pathology and Plant Diseases (Tronsmo, A. M., Collinge, D. B., Djurle, A., Munk, L., Yuen, J., & Tronsmo, A.). Research articles will be provided during the course by the teachers. You find the preliminary literature list with the schedule.
Best wishes,
Erik
Course evaluation
The course evaluation is now closed
BI1296-30093 - Course evaluation report
Once the evaluation is closed, the course coordinator and student representative have 1 month to draft their comments. The comments will be published in the evaluation report.
Additional course evaluations for BI1296
Academic year 2022/2023
Plant Biology for Breeding and Protection (BI1296-30258)
2023-01-16 - 2023-03-21
Academic year 2022/2023
Plant Biology for Breeding and Protection (BI1296-30259)
2023-01-16 - 2023-03-21
Academic year 2021/2022
Plant Biology for Breeding and Protection (BI1296-30092)
2022-01-17 - 2022-03-23
Academic year 2021/2022
Plant Biology for Breeding and Protection (BI1296-30094)
2022-01-17 - 2022-03-23
Academic year 2020/2021
Plant Biology for Breeding and Protection (BI1296-30170)
2021-01-18 - 2021-03-23
Academic year 2020/2021
Plant Biology for Breeding and Protection (BI1296-30171)
2021-01-18 - 2021-03-23
Academic year 2020/2021
Plant Biology for Breeding and Protection (BI1296-30172)
2021-01-18 - 2021-03-23
Academic year 2019/2020
Plant Biology for Breeding and Protection (BI1296-30121)
2020-01-20 - 2020-03-24
Academic year 2019/2020
Plant Biology for Breeding and Protection (BI1296-30122)
2020-01-20 - 2020-03-24
Academic year 2019/2020
Plant Biology for Breeding and Protection (BI1296-30123)
2020-01-20 - 2020-03-24
Academic year 2018/2019
Plant Biology for Breeding and Protection (BI1296-30002)
2019-01-21 - 2019-03-25
Academic year 2018/2019
Plant Biology for Breeding and Protection (BI1296-30003)
2019-01-21 - 2019-03-25
Academic year 2018/2019
Plant Biology for Breeding and Protection (BI1296-30004)
2019-01-21 - 2019-03-25
Syllabus and other information
Syllabus
BI1296 Plant Biology for Breeding and Protection, 15.0 Credits
Växtförädling och VäxtskyddSubjects
BiologyEducation cycle
Master’s levelModules
| Title | Credits | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Single module | 15.0 | 0101 |
Advanced study in the main field
Second cycle, has only first-cycle course/s as entry requirementsMaster’s level (A1N)Grading scale
Language
EnglishPrior knowledge
Knowledge equivalent to 120 credits at basic level including- 60 credits biology or
- 60 credits Forest Sciences including 15 credits chemistry
- 60 credits Horticultural Science including 15 credits chemistry
- 60 credits Agricultural Science including 15 credits in chemistry
and
- English 6
Objectives
The course focuses on plant biology for breeding and protection in a global perspective. Bioinformatics with focus on analyzing –omics data to improve and better understand plant breeding and protection will be an important part of the course. Techniques, including GM and genome editing, and their applications in plant breeding and protection will be evaluated and discussed. At the end of this course the student(s) should be able to:- Explain plant genetics and ploidy
- Evaluate and compare plant breeding methods for improving target trait(s)
- Classify plants as per breeding and propagation systems, and identify sources of trait variation for further use in plant breeding
- Define and evaluate plant disease diagnosis and control
- Describe the biology of plant pathogens and pests and their interaction with plants
- Explain modern breeding tools in plant breeding and protection
- Analyze omics data for plant breeding and protection by bioinformatics
- Communicate plant breeding and protection to a broad audience
- Discuss ethical questions related to plant breeding and protection
Content
The course content consists primarily of the following points:- Process of plant breeding (overview, genetics and genetic resource enhancement etc.)
- Genotype-by-environment interaction and adaptation to environmental stresses.
- Pre/Breeding programs in Sweden and worldwide
- Biology of plant pathogens and pests
- Plant disease diagnosis, management and control
- Plant pathogen interactions
- Plant immunity
- Modern breeding tools, including GM and genome editing, and their application in plant breeding and protection
- Ethical questions related to plant breeding and protection and breeders’ rights
- Bioinformatics and –omics data for plant breeding and protection
Laboratory work, student project and seminars are mandatory.
Formats and requirements for examination
To pass the course, approved written and/or oral assignments, approved participation in the mandatory parts and passed written examination are needed. If a student fails a test, the examiner may give the student a supplementary assignment, provided this is possible and there is reason to do so.If a student has been granted targeted study support because of a disability, the examiner has the right to offer the student an adapted test, or provide an alternative form of assessment.
If this course is discontinued, SLU will decide on transitional provisions for the examination of students admitted under this syllabus who have not yet been awarded a Pass grade.
For the assessment an independent project (degree project), the examiner may also allow a student to add supplemental information after the deadline for submission. For more information, please refer to the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.
- If the student fails a test, the examiner may give the student a supplementary assignment, provided this is possible and there is reason to do so.
- If the student has been granted special educational support because of a disability, the examiner has the right to offer the student an adapted test, or provide an alternative assessment.
- If changes are made to this course syllabus, or if the course is closed, SLU shall decide on transitional rules for examination of students admitted under this syllabus but who have not yet passed the course.
- For the examination of a degree project (independent project), the examiner may also allow the student to add supplemental information after the deadline. For more information on this, please refer to the regulations for education at Bachelor's and Master's level.
Other information
The right to take part in teaching and/or supervision only applies to the course instance which the student has been admitted to and registered on.If there are special reasons, the student may take part in course components that require compulsory attendance at a later date. For more information, please refer to the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.
Responsible department
Department of Plant Protection Biology
Cooperating departments:
Further information
Grading criteria
Grading (3-5) will be based written exam (60%) and scenario based learning (SBL; 40%)