PBR-31802 Breeding for Quality (DL)

Course

Credits 2.00

Language of instruction:

English

Assumed knowledge on:

Genetics, principles of plant breeding, molecular markers, mapping populations

Continuation courses:

The DL-MSc-specializations have a fixed schedule.

Contents:

Note: This course has a maximum number of participants. The deadline for registration is one week earlier than usual. See Academic Year.(http://www.wageningenur.nl/en/Education-Programmes/Current-Students/Agenda-Calendar-Academic-Year.htm) -> Registration for Courses.
Note: The period mentioned below is the period in which this course starts. For the exact academic weeks see the courseplanning on www.wur.eu/schedule.

Traditionally, producer traits such as yield and disease resistance have been the primary breeding targets in many crops. In current agriculture, however, consumer-driven quality traits, such as flavour colour and nutritional value have become increasingly important and the same holds for the production of specific plant compounds which can be used as sources for bio-based applications. Breeding for Quality is directed at improving whole fruit/vegetable characteristics and plant compounds, where flavour, colour, texture, absence of antinutritional factors or allergens, and shelf-life are important breeding objectives. Breeding for Quality also comprises the efficient production of all kinds of compounds, which are used as ingredients by the food, pharmaceutical, chemical, textile, paper, etc. industries. Examples of such compounds are: carbohydrates (starch, fructans, cellulose), proteins (wheat gluten, pea storage proteins), vegetable fats/oils (rape seed oil, cocoa fat), and secondary metabolites like flavours, fragrances, and phytoestrogenic molecules. In breeding programs, the existing genetic variation is exploited to increase the yield of (or enrich mixtures in) the target compounds. For this, it is necessary to understand the metabolic routes leading to the synthesis of the desired compound, and to have knowledge on how these compounds can be determined in the plant material.

Learning outcomes:

After successful completion of this course students are expected to be able to:
- explain the major characteristics of various quality traits;
- define appropriate selection strategies for specific target traits;
- apply relevant analytic and statistical screening techniques for trait valuation;
- use this knowledge to develop breeding strategies for improved resistance, tolerance and quality.

Activities:

Study knowledge clips with theoretical assignments, group activities, individual assignments and literature.

Examination:

The exam is an online remotely proctored exam, where the student should provide a suitable computer and room.

Literature:

Links to relevant articles will be provided through the course website.