Instructor(s): Dr. Keenan Amundsen
Number of Units: 1
Estimated Time of Completion: 40-60 hours
Please note that the actual amount of time it takes to complete this module will vary based on the learner's previous background and/or experience with the concepts presented in this module.
Description: Meeting the global demands for food, fuel and fiber in part will depend upon the development of new crop genetics and varieties. These new varieties will need to have unique genes that allow the crop to yield higher than before, be grown in ever-changing environments such as periods of drought, and withstand stress due to insects, pathogen and weed pressure. This requires a large team effort including partnerships with professionals with a variety of expertise including: plant breeding, weed science, plant pathology, entomology, chemical science, plant biology, applied agronomy (crop production), mechanical engineering, farmers, seed sales professionals, etc. With these interwoven professions in mind, the department of Agronomy and Horticulture faculty members have developed this self-paced online module to help participants obtain a conversational knowledge of plant breeding in order to understand basic principles and better communicate with each other no matter the role each plays in this global effort.
This module is divided into 10 topics covering different aspects of plant breeding as outlined below, with more detailed objective found in the course website within each topic area:
- Introduction to plant breeding
- History and important milestones
- Plant biology 101
- Evaluating performance and stress tolerance
- Genes, genomes, and germplasm
- Genotype, phenotype, and the environment
- Breeding strategies: open-pollinated
- Breeding strategies: self-pollinated
- Marker assisted breeding and biotech
- Cultivar and germplasm management and release
Prerequisites: Undergraduate science courses or more advanced courses in the areas of genetics or plant science or completion of an introductory genetics/plant science module/course (i.e. our genetic principles modules).
Registration:
Upon registration and payment of module, learners will be emailed instructions on how to access the module (account creation/login, enrollment key, etc.).
Course Requirements & Materials:
- Technical Requirements: Access to high-speed Internet and email with up-to-date browsers and the ability to view videos (recommended browsers are Firefox, Chrome, and Safari)
- Textbooks: No textbooks required. All course materials are online in Campus eXtension and PASSeL. Free, additional genetics information can also be found at https://ge.unl.edu/.
Questions About This Module? Contact Leah Sandall at lsandall5@unl.edu or 402-472-9295.