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BIO309Sciences1 Unitsintermediate

Plant Breeding

This course introduces the art and science of plant breeding, focusing on changing plant traits to produce desired characteristics. It covers cytological principles, heterosis, inbreeding, incompatibility mechanisms, and sterility. Students will explore various breeding methods, disease and pest resistance, and the practices used to sustain desired qualities in major farm and domestic plants. The course also examines conventional and modern plant breeding techniques, including molecular biology applications.

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120h
Study Time
13
Weeks
9h
Per Week
basic
Math Level
Course Keywords
Plant BreedingHeterosisInbreedingDisease ResistanceCytology

Course Overview

Everything you need to know about this course

Course Difficulty

Intermediate Level
Builds on foundational knowledge
65%
intermediate
➕
Math Level
Basic Math
📖
Learning Type
Theoretical Focus

Course Topics

Key areas covered in this course

1

Importance of Plant Breeding

2

Cytological Principles

3

Heterosis

4

Inbreeding

5

Self-incompatibility

6

Cytoplasmic Male Sterility

7

Breeding Methods

8

Disease and Pest Resistance

Total Topics8 topics

Ready to Start

No specific requirements needed

This course is designed to be accessible to all students. You can start immediately without any prior knowledge or specific preparation.

Assessment Methods

How your progress will be evaluated (3 methods)

assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

tutor-marked assessments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

final examination

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Career Opportunities

Explore the career paths this course opens up for you

Plant Breeder

Apply your skills in this growing field

Agronomist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Geneticist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Crop Scientist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Research Scientist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Industry Applications

Real-world sectors where you can apply your knowledge

AgricultureBiotechnologySeed ProductionCrop ImprovementResearch and Development

Study Schedule Beta

A structured 13-week journey through the course content

Week
1

Module 1: Importance of plant breeding

2h

Unit 1: Importance of Plant Breeding

2 study hours
  • •Read introduction to plant breeding, its history, and development.
  • •Define key plant breeding terms.
  • •Differentiate between conventional and modern plant breeding methods.
  • •Explore plant breeding applications.
Week
2

Module 2: Cytological principles of plant breeding

2h

Unit 2 Cytological principles of plant breeding

2 study hours
  • •Understand the cytological principles of plant breeding.
  • •Visualize chromosomes as the basis of heredity.
  • •Describe the structure, composition, and function of chromosomes in relation to plant breeding.
  • •Study chromosome number, size, and morphology.
Week
3

Module 3: Heterosis

2h

Unit 3.0. Heterosis

2 study hours
  • •Understand the genetic basis of heterosis.
  • •Explore the concept of hybrid corn and hybrid livestock.
  • •Analyze the heterosis effect in animals.
  • •Differentiate between dominance and overdominance hypotheses.
Week
4

Module 4: Inbreeding (F) and its consequences or applications

2h

Unit 4.0. Inbreeding (F) and its consequences or applications

2 study hours
  • •Understand the concept of inbreeding and its consequences.
  • •Calculate the coefficient of inbreeding (F).
  • •Explore the effects of inbreeding on genetic defects.
  • •Analyze the practical uses of F in predicting inbreeding depression.
Week
5

Module 5: Self-incompatibility in plants

2h

Unit 5.0. Self-incompatibility in plants

2 study hours
  • •Understand the mechanisms of self-incompatibility (SI) in plants.
  • •Differentiate between gametophytic and sporophytic self-incompatibility.
  • •Explore heteromorphic and cryptic self-incompatibility.
  • •Analyze late-acting self-incompatibility (LSI) and self-compatibility (SC).
Week
6

Module 6: Cytoplasmic male sterility

2h

Unit 6.0. Cytoplasmic male sterility

2 study hours
  • •Understand the concept of cytoplasmic male sterility.
  • •Differentiate between cytoplasmic and cytoplasmic-genetic male sterility.
  • •Explore the use of cytoplasmic male sterility in hybrid breeding.
  • •Analyze the role of cytoplasmic male sterility in hybrid maize breeding.
Week
7

Module 7: Breeding methods

2h

Unit 7.0. Breeding methods

2 study hours
  • •Understand the mode of reproduction in plant breeding.
  • •Explore mass selection and recurrent selection methods.
  • •Analyze half-sib and full-sib selection with progeny testing.
  • •Study the breeding of asexually propagated crops.
Week
8

Module 8: Disease and pest resistance and their inheritance

2h

Unit 8.0. Disease and pest resistance and their inheritance

2 study hours
  • •Understand plant breeding for disease resistance.
  • •Explore the concepts of host range and epidemics.
  • •Analyze the factors stimulating new epidemics.
  • •Study breeding for pest resistance.
Week
9

Module 1: Importance of plant breeding

2h

Unit 1: Importance of Plant Breeding

2 study hours
  • •Review Module 1: Importance of plant breeding
  • •Revise key plant breeding terms.
  • •Revise conventional and modern plant breeding methods.
  • •Revise plant breeding applications.
Week
10

Module 2: Cytological principles of plant breeding

2h

Unit 2 Cytological principles of plant breeding

2 study hours
  • •Review Module 2: Cytological principles of plant breeding
  • •Revise the cytological principles of plant breeding.
  • •Revise the structure, composition, and function of chromosomes in relation to plant breeding.
  • •Revise chromosome number, size, and morphology.
Week
11

Module 3: Heterosis

2h

Unit 3.0. Heterosis

2 study hours
  • •Review Module 3: Heterosis
  • •Revise the genetic basis of heterosis.
  • •Revise the concept of hybrid corn and hybrid livestock.
  • •Revise the heterosis effect in animals.
  • •Revise dominance and overdominance hypotheses.
Week
12

Module 4: Inbreeding (F) and its consequences or applications

2h

Unit 4.0. Inbreeding (F) and its consequences or applications

2 study hours
  • •Review Module 4: Inbreeding (F) and its consequences or applications
  • •Revise the concept of inbreeding and its consequences.
  • •Revise the coefficient of inbreeding (F).
  • •Revise the effects of inbreeding on genetic defects.
  • •Revise the practical uses of F in predicting inbreeding depression.
Week
13

Module 5: Self-incompatibility in plants

2h

Unit 5.0. Self-incompatibility in plants

2 study hours
  • •Review Module 5: Self-incompatibility in plants
  • •Revise the mechanisms of self-incompatibility (SI) in plants.
  • •Revise gametophytic and sporophytic self-incompatibility.
  • •Revise heteromorphic and cryptic self-incompatibility.
  • •Revise late-acting self-incompatibility (LSI) and self-compatibility (SC).

This study schedule is in beta and may not be accurate. Please use it as a guide and consult the course outline for the most accurate information.

Course PDF Material

Read the complete course material as provided by NOUN.

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Study Tips & Exam Preparation

Expert tips to help you succeed in this course

1

Create detailed concept maps linking breeding methods to specific crop types.

2

Practice calculating inbreeding coefficients using different pedigree scenarios.

3

Review the mechanisms of disease resistance and their genetic control.

4

Focus on understanding the differences between conventional and modern plant breeding techniques.

5

Summarize the key steps in hybrid seed production using cytoplasmic male sterility.

6

Study the different types of self-incompatibility and their evolutionary significance.

7

Review all tutor-marked assignments and self-assessment questions.

8

Allocate study time proportionally to the weight of each module in the final exam.

9

Form study groups to discuss complex topics and share notes.

10

Practice applying plant breeding principles to real-world case studies.

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