Course Overview
This course is designed to give those interested in plant breeding a comprehensive understanding of what it takes to bring a variety from concept to market. Featured crops include beans, peas, oats, ryegrass, clover and energy crops.
The course considers all aspects of what makes a commercial plant breeding program successful.
Real datasets will demonstrate the challenges a breeder faces when making selections. You will undertake case studies to look in-depth at the process of breeding a crop of your choice.
The course will review
• Plant reproductive biology
• Control of pollination and uses in breeding
• Breeding systems for self and cross-pollinated plant species
• Defining breeding objectives
• Trait measurement and selection methods
• Agricultural experimentation and trial design
• Defining breeding objectives
• Variety legislation and commercialisation
• Marker-assisted and genome-wide selection
• Utilising diversity, mutant and biotechnology in breeding
Key Facts
Course Provider: Aberystwyth University
Course Date: This course commences each February
Course Delivery: Distance Learning – 14-week online course
Course Fee: POA