PLBR 4030 - Genetic Improvement of Crop Plants

Fall. 3 credits.

Prerequisites: BIOMG 2810, PLBR 2250, or other standard genetics course and course in crops or horticulture.

L. Smart.

Genetic enhancement of crop value to humans began with domestication and continues with farmers’ variety development and scientifically trained plant breeders’ applications of Mendelian, quantitative, and molecular genetics. This course examines crop genetic improvement methods by discussing the history and current practice of plant breeding, tools available to breeders, choices and modifications of those tools to meet specific objectives, and challenges plant breeders face in developing varieties for the future.