2. Course Objectives
Comprehend and be able to discuss how
breeders meet their breeding goals today as
opposed to several decades ago. This requires
basic knowledge on classical breeding
methods and an understanding on molecular
breeding.
Examples will be provided to emphasize the
importance of genetics in modern breeding
practices.
3. Learning outcomes
• understand the developments in plant breeding and the
state of the art breeding practices (ornamentals vs. crops)
• have some knowledge on the basics of genetics (Mendel,
QTL etc.) and understand the idea and the potential of
genetic engineering
• have some understanding on the concepts of molecular
breeding
• have some (practical) knowledge to apply molecular markers
for the identification of traits in the genome
• be able to determine whether information from the internet
regarding modern breeding methods are relevant and
informative
4. Date Program
May 13 Introduction (History of Plant Breeding)
May 20 Aspects of Plant Breeding (Breeding goals and recent
achievements)
May 27 Tour to Engelmann’s Nursery
Jun 3 Basic genetics (Mendel’s, QTL, Epistasis)
Jun 11 Classical Plant Breeding (Breeding schemes, e.g. Peach)
Jun 17 Applied Plant Breeding
July 1 Molecular Genetics (Tissue culture, e.g. grapes)
(Dr. Sadanand Dhekney)
July 8 Molecular Genetics (PCR, Different marker systems)
(Dr. Sadanand Dhekney)
July 15 LAB SESSION (PCR)
July 22 DNA fingerprinting and Genetic Engineering (crops and
ornamentals)
July 29 Molecular Breeding/ Breeding by design
Aug 5 Exam
6. 9000 BC First evidence of plant domestication in the hills above the
Tigris river
1694 Camerarius first to demonstrate sex in (monoecious) plants and suggested
crossing as a method to obtain new plant types
1714 Mather observed natural crossing in maize
1761-1766 Kohlreuter demonstrated that hybrid offspring
received traits from both parents and were intermediate in
most traits, first scientific hybrid in tobacco
1866 Mendel: Experiments in plant hybridization
1900 Mendel’s laws of heredity rediscovered
1944 Avery, MacLeod, McCarty discovered DNA is hereditary
material
1953 Watson, Crick, Wilkins proposed a model for DNA
structure
1970 Borlaug received Nobel Prize for the Green Revolution
Berg, Cohen, and Boyer introduced the recombinant DNA
technology
1994 ‘FlavrSavr’ tomato developed as first GMO
1995 Bt-corn developed
Selected milestones in plant breeding
7. National Human Genome Research
Institute by Darryl Leja
DNA: nucleic acid that
contains all the
genetic instructions
used in the
development and
functioning of all
known living
organisms
8. • Domestication: The process by which people
try to control the reproductive rates of
animals and plants. Without knowledge on the
transmission of traits from parents to their
offspring.
• Plant Breeding: The application of genetic
analysis to development of plant lines better
suited for human purposes.
– Plant Breeding and Selection Methods to meet the
food, feed, fuel, and fiber needs of the world
– Genetic Engineering to increase the effectiveness
and efficiency of plant breeding.
Prunus
persica
Source: Wikipedia
9. Example: Peach (Prunus persica)
• Originates from China
• Introduced to Persia and the Mediterranean
region along the silk route
• Trade and cultural interaction
10. Breeding objectives
• Food (yield and nutritional value), feed,
fibre, pharmaceuticals (plantibodies),
landscape, industrial need (eg. Crops are
being produced in regions to which they are
not native).
11. • Note: Details among plant species vary
because of origin, mode of
reproduction, ploidy levels, and traits
of greater importance and
adjustments were made to adapt to
specific situations.
12. Conducting plant breeding
• Traditional/classical breeding: crossing
two plants (hybridization)
genetically manipulating??
• Variability/ Selection
• Recombinant DNA technology
13. Scientific disciplines and
technologies of plant breeding
• Genetics
• Botany
• Plant physiology
• Agronomy
• Pathology and entomology
• Statistics
• Biochemistry
