PBR-32802 Breeding for Resistance (DL)

Course

Credits 2.00

Language of instruction:

English

Assumed knowledge on:

PBR-22803 Principles in Plant Breeding;
PBR-23303 Plant Pathology and Epidemiology.

Continuation courses:

PBR-36303 New Trends in Plant Breeding (DL);
YPS60315 Continuous course Plant Breeding.

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.

Biotic stress factors are among the main limitations for producing high quality and high quantities of vegetal products. Resistance breeding focuses at the use of genetic resources for improving plant defence against these stress factors. Biotic stress factors include pathogens and pests that infect or feed on crop plants. The present course deals with defence mechanisms and strategies that protect host plants against pests and pathogens, inheritance of resistance genes, and durable effectiveness of resistance genes.

Learning outcomes:

After successful completion of this course students are expected to be able to:
- explain the major characteristics of various resistance traits;
- discuss the various aspects of plant-pathogen interaction using the correct terminology;
- use the knowledge of plant-pathogen interaction to develop breeding strategies for improved and durably effective resistance;
- choose the most appropriate screening and selection methods to develop cultivars with effective resistance to pathogens and pests.

Activities:

- study the text book on Breeding Crops with Resistance to Diseases and Pests and papers on important pathogens and recent developments;
- make exercises, assignments, and e-learning modules, some corresponding to certain parts of the book and others on line;
- study your favourite pathogen, make assignments and write a paper that is connected to Scientific Writing (YPS60315).

Examination:

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

Literature:

Niks RE, Parlevliet JE, Lindhout P, Bai Y (2011) Breeding crops with resistance to diseases and pests. Wageningen Academic Publishers:198pp.