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CRP512Agricultural Sciences2 Unitsintermediate

Crop Evolution And Adaptation

This course introduces students to the principles of crop evolution and adaptation. It explores the theory of evolution, its processes, and mechanics, emphasizing the roles of hybridization, recombination, and natural selection. The course also covers isolation mechanisms, plant speciation, and the origin of cultivated plants, including primary and secondary centers. Students will gain an understanding of genetic variations, genetic drift, crop adaptation to environments, and external factors influencing adaptation.

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150h
Study Time
13
Weeks
12h
Per Week
basic
Math Level
Course Keywords
Crop EvolutionAdaptationPlant SpeciationGenetic VariationNatural Selection

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

Theory of Evolution

2

Natural Selection

3

Plant Speciation

4

Hybridization

5

Genetic Variation

6

Crop Domestication

7

Centers of Origin

8

Crop Adaptation

Total Topics8 topics

Requirements

Knowledge and skills recommended for success

Basic Biology

Genetics

💡 Don't have all requirements? Don't worry! Many students successfully complete this course with basic preparation and dedication.

Assessment Methods

How your progress will be evaluated (3 methods)

assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

tutor-marked assignments

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

Crop Scientist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Geneticist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Agricultural Consultant

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: Evolution and Adaptation

2h

Unit 1: Definition and Concept of Evolution and Adaptation

2 study hours
  • •Define evolution and adaptation.
  • •Explain the concepts of evolution and adaptation.
  • •Understand basic genetic concepts like genes, alleles, genotype, and phenotype.
Week
2

Module 1: Evolution and Adaptation

2h

Unit 2: Theory of Evolution

2 study hours
  • •Explain the history of evolution as a scientific theory.
  • •Describe the various theories of evolution proposed by different scientists like Lamarck and Darwin.
  • •Understand the concepts of Uniformitarianism.
Week
3

Module 1: Evolution and Adaptation

2h

Unit 3: Evolution by Natural Selection

2 study hours
  • •Define natural selection.
  • •Explain the concept of evolution by natural selection.
  • •Describe the conditions necessary for natural selection to occur.
  • •Differentiate between directional, stabilizing, and disruptive selection.
Week
4

Module 1: Evolution and Adaptation

2h

Unit 4: Evidence of Evolution

2 study hours
  • •List and explain the evidence for evolution.
  • •Enumerate and describe the evidence for the existence of selection in nature, including artificial selection and variations.
Week
5

Module 2: Evolution of Crop Plants

2h

Unit 1: Mechanism of Crop Evolution

2 study hours
  • •Define natural selection and explain its role in crop evolution.
  • •Explain mutation and its role in generating genetic variability.
  • •Discuss the different types of recombination processes and their impact on crop evolution.
Week
6

Module 2: Evolution of Crop Plants

2h

Unit 2: Forces of Evolution

2 study hours
  • •Define migration, selection, and genetic drift.
  • •Explain how these forces interact to drive the evolution and adaptation of plant species.
  • •Understand the mathematical representation of migration.
Week
7

Module 2: Evolution of Crop Plants

2h

Unit 3: Role of Speciation in the Evolution of Crop Plants

2 study hours
  • •Define a species and explain the biological species concept.
  • •Discuss speciation and its role in the origin of new crop species.
  • •Explain reproductive isolating barriers (RIBs) and their significance.
Week
8

Module 2: Evolution of Crop Plants

2h

Unit 4: Role of Hybridization in Crop Evolution

2 study hours
  • •Define hybridization and explain its role in crop evolution.
  • •Differentiate between hybridization and introgression.
  • •Discuss the objectives of hybridization in crop improvement.
Week
9

Module 3: Origin of Cultivated Crops

2h

Unit 1: Plant Genetic Variation in a Population

2 study hours
  • •Define genetic variation and explain its concept.
  • •Describe genetic variation as a mechanism for selection and evolution.
  • •Discuss the sources of genetic variation within a population.
Week
10

Module 3: Origin of Cultivated Crops

2h

Unit 2: Origin of Commonly Cultivated Crops

2 study hours
  • •Explain the concept of centers of origin for cultivated crops.
  • •Describe the contribution of Nikolai Ivanovich Vavilov to understanding crop origins.
  • •Differentiate between primary and secondary centers of origin.
Week
11

Module 3: Origin of Cultivated Crops

2h

Unit 3: Centers of Agriculture

2 study hours
  • •Describe the centers of agricultural origin and their characteristics.
  • •Define a biome and discuss its distribution.
  • •Describe the two major biomes where domesticated plants originated.
Week
12

Module 3: Origin of Cultivated Crops

2h

Unit 4: Domestication of Plants

2 study hours
  • •Describe the domestication process of crop plants.
  • •Explain the role of natural and artificial selection in domestication.
  • •Highlight the consequences of domestication on plant morphology and genetics.
Week
13

Module 4: Crop Adaptation

8h

Unit 1: Evolutionary Adaptation

2 study hours
  • •Discuss the physiological responses that enable crops to adapt to their environment.
  • •Explain the concepts of photosynthesis, photoperiod, and vernalization.
  • •Describe the C3, C4, and CAM photosynthetic pathways as adaptive mechanisms.

Unit 2: Adaptation of Crops to Environment

2 study hours
  • •Define adaptation and differentiate between adaptation and acclimation.
  • •Explain the concepts of plant growth and development in relation to adaptation.
  • •Discuss the external factors regulating crop adaptation, including day length, temperature, and competition.

Unit 3: External Factors Regulating Crop Adaptation

2 study hours
  • •Discuss the external factors regulating crop adaptation, including day length, temperature, and competition.
  • •Explain the competition for water among crop plants.
  • •Highlight the adaptations which enable crop plants to succeed in competition for nutrients.

Unit 4: Adaptive Response of Crop to Environment

2 study hours
  • •Explain the plant physiological responses that enable crops to adapt to their environment.
  • •Describe the plant photosynthetic pathway as an adaptive mechanism to the environment.

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

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Study Tips & Exam Preparation

Expert tips to help you succeed in this course

1

Review the definitions and concepts of evolution, adaptation, and speciation from Module 1.

2

Create diagrams illustrating the different types of natural selection (directional, stabilizing, disruptive) covered in Unit 3 of Module 1.

3

Focus on understanding the roles of hybridization, mutation, and recombination in crop evolution (Module 2).

4

Make flashcards for the primary and secondary centers of origin for major crops (Module 3).

5

Practice explaining the differences between C3, C4, and CAM photosynthesis (Unit 4 of Module 4).

6

Study the external factors (day length, temperature, competition) that regulate crop adaptation (Unit 3 of Module 4).

7

Review all Tutor-Marked Assignments (TMAs) and self-assessment exercises.

8

Allocate specific time slots for each module to ensure comprehensive coverage.

9

Create concept maps linking key topics within each module.

10

Practice answering essay-type questions to improve clarity and conciseness.

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