Germplasm and Seed Technology

Note 1: This course can not be combined in an individual programme with PBR-21803 Pre-breeding and PPH31306 Seed Science and Technology, because of overlap.
Note 2: This course is offered online and it takes about 20 hours to complete the weekly task. There are assignments with deadlines, group work and non-synchronous interaction with teachers and fellow students. An online exam is offered at the end of the course.
Note 3: This is an online course, but it can also be followed by on-campus students.
This course introduces students to a number of important aspects of plant breeding, such as the process of domestication, germplasm development and the importance of gene banks. Also, important practical aspects on bringing a cultivar to the market are discussed, such as breeders' rights and patents, and the design of seed and plant production programs. Seed physiology and seed quality aspects receive thorough attention, because in many cases the seed is the actual product that is sold by breeding companies.

• Explain the theory of domestication, the gene pool concept, and the process of germplasm development

• Explain the importance of gene banks for plant breeding and and apply principles of population genetics with respect to small sample sizes

• Discuss and apply the principles of breeders rights and patents

• Explain how seed production programs are designed

• Summarize seed quality aspects and explain how seed quality can be improved

• Assignment other (20%) Legislation, a research paper, and peer learning.
• Written test with open and closed questions (80%) The exam is an online remotely proctored exam, where the student should provide a suitable computer and room.

PBR37303 Principles of Plant Breeding (online students) or PBR23306 Plant Breeding (on-campus students)
PBR36804 Markers in Quantitative Genetics and Plant Breeding (online students) or knowledge of molecular markers (on-campus students).
The exam takes place using Remote Proctoring, which is different than digital examinations on-campus. Students unfamiliar with this system should carefully test it beforehand by following all directions given via the Student Support "screen steps" instructions (https://wur-studentsupport.screenstepslive.com/m/106158/c/365541).

• Book chapters made available through the WUR-libray: - Seeds, Physiology of Development, Germination and Dormancy (3rd ed.) J. Derek Bewley, Kent J. Bradford, Henk W.M. Hilhorst and Hiro Nonogaki, 2013. Springer, 392 pp.; - Principles of plant Genetics and Breeding, (2nd ed.) Acquaah, G, 2012. DVD, made available through the learning environment: The Seed Hunter. Articles made available through the WUR library.