BIO309PLANT BREEDING

BIO309 – Plant Breeding focuses on the principles and practices used in the genetic improvement of plants for human benefit. This course covers traditional breeding methods such as selection, hybridization, and backcrossing, as well as modern approaches including genetic engineering, marker-assisted selection, and tissue culture techniques. Students explore how plant breeders develop varieties with improved yield, resistance to pests and diseases, tolerance to environmental stress, and enhanced nutritional quality.

In addition to theoretical concepts, students engage in case studies and practical sessions that expose them to the processes of variety development, seed production, and crop evaluation. Ethical issues, intellectual property rights, and biosafety regulations related to genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are also discussed. By the end of the course, students should be able to design and evaluate a basic plant breeding program, making it a crucial course for careers in agriculture, biotechnology, and environmental sustainability.