Mendelian Genetics, epistasis. Nucleic acid structure. Genetic code. Genetic and chromosome mutations. Population genetics. Evolutionary forces. Quantitative character genetics. Basic statistics and analysis of variance. Crossing schemes and evaluation of phenotypic components. Response to selection.
Selection schemes to obtain homozygous varieties, hybrids and populations.
Methods of assisted selection with genetic markers. Participative selection
Textbooks:
Fondamenti di genetica (Russel).
Metodi di selezione (Scarascia Mugnozza),
Plant Breeding and Farmer Participation (FAO).
Learning Objectives
Knowledge: 1) Basic genetics with particular reference to Mendelian Genetics, chromosome maps, genetic control of quantitative characters, and population genetics; 2) Utilization of genetic markers; 3) Techniques of genetic improvement.
Competence acquired: Ability to utilize genetic markers, in particular those markers used to evaluate population diversity and to initiate genetic improvement programs (marker assisted selection MAS).
Skills acquired at the end of the course:
Apply experimental designs to distinguish and select genotypes to obtain improved varieties.
Prerequisites
Courses required: Organic Chemistry, General and Systematic Botany, Agronomy and Herbaceous Cultivation.
Courses recommended: Statistics, Vegetal Pathology, Entomology, Vegetal Physiology.
Teaching Methods
Hours reserved to private study and other indivual formative activities: 102
Lecture hours: 48
Practical hours (lessons in the laboratory): 6
Practical hours (in laboratory and in the field): 10
Number of hours for the intermediate examinations: 3
Further information
Frequency of lectures, and practicals:
advisable
Type of Assessment
written and oral exam
Course program
Introduction to the course, basic reference to cellular structures and cell division. Mendelian Genetics: first and second laws of Mendel. Segregation relationships of one and more genes. Interaction within and between different loci: epistasis. Chromosome maps and three point tests. Structure of the nucleic acids. DNA replication. Transcription and translation of the message. Genetic code. Genetic mutations: transition and transversion base changes. Insertion of bases and frame shift mutations. How mutations may modify the phenotype. Chromosomal mutations: polyploidy and aneuploidy. Population genetics: Hardy and Weinberg equilibrium; evolutionary forces: migration, mutations, selection and derived genetics. Inbreeding and Panmitic Coefficient. Basic statistics: study of the distribution and analysis of variance; formulation of hypothesis and statistical tests. Genetic and environmental components that characterise the phenotype. Phenotypic variance and variance of different components (additive genetic variance, genetic variation based on dominance, variation of the interaction of genetic components, phenotypic variance and interactions). Crossing schemes to study genetic and environmental components; phenotype constituents: diallel crosses and North Carolina model 1 schemes. Calculation of the hereditary coefficients. Response to selection. The attainment of homogenous lines. Selection schemes: selection methods for varieties of self-fertilized species, hybrid varieties and populations. Varietal construction. Assisted selection methods. Utilization of genetic markers for the improvement of species under cultivation. Utilization of genetic markers for the study and the evaluation of biodiversity. Importance of the evaluation of local genetic resources and the development of programs of participative genetic improvement involving the local farmers.