Course: Plant breeding - special part

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Course title Plant breeding - special part
Course code BOT/SRS
Organizational form of instruction Lecture + Exercise
Level of course Master
Year of study not specified
Semester Winter and summer
Number of ECTS credits 4
Language of instruction Czech
Status of course Optional
Form of instruction Face-to-face
Work placements This is not an internship
Recommended optional programme components None
Lecturer(s)
  • Krška Boris, prof. Ing. Dr.
  • Křístková Eva, doc. Ing. Ph.D.
  • Smýkal Petr, prof. Ing. Ph.D.
  • Ondřej Vladan, doc. RNDr. Ph.D.
  • Lebeda Aleš, prof. Ing. DrSc.
  • Matušinský Pavel, doc. Mgr. Ph.D.
Course content
Breeding of: 1. Cereals, minor cereals; 2. Pulses; 3. Oil seeds, fiber crops, technical crops; 4. Root and tuber crops; 5. Forages; 6. Grasses; 7. Hops; 8. Vegetables; 9. Aromatic, spicy and medicinal plants; 10. Fruit trees; 11. Vine; 12. Ornamental plants; 13. Forest trees.

Learning activities and teaching methods
Lecture, Monologic Lecture(Interpretation, Training), Demonstration, Laboratory Work, Work Activities
Learning outcomes
The course aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the breeding objectives, strategies, and methodologies used for the improvement of major groups of economically important crop species. Building upon the general principles of plant breeding, the course focuses on the application of breeding concepts to specific crop systems and highlights the biological, genetic, and technological factors that determine breeding approaches in different plant groups. Particular emphasis is placed on the breeding of cereals, legumes, oilseed crops, root and tuber crops, forage species, vegetables, fruit crops, and other economically important plants, considering their reproductive biology, genetic structure, cultivation systems, and breeding targets related to yield, quality, resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses, and adaptation to changing environmental and climatic conditions. The course introduces current trends in applied plant breeding, including the utilization of molecular and genomic technologies, high-throughput phenotyping, plant genetic resources, and innovative breeding methodologies for the development of improved cultivars. A significant component of the course consists of invited lectures delivered by professional plant breeders and experts from breeding companies and research institutions, providing students with direct insight into contemporary breeding practice and its challenges. Upon successful completion of the course, students will understand the specific breeding objectives and methodologies employed for different crop groups, be able to compare breeding strategies across diverse plant species, and critically evaluate their application in the development of cultivars that meet the demands of modern agriculture, food production, and sustainable crop management.
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to explain the principles, methodologies, and practical approaches used in the breeding of major groups of cultivated crop species, taking into account their reproductive biology, genetic characteristics, and breeding objectives. They will understand the similarities and differences among breeding strategies applied to cereals, legumes, oilseed crops, root and tuber crops, forage species, vegetables, fruit crops, and other economically important plants. Students will be able to describe the application of both classical and modern breeding techniques, evaluate their advantages and limitations, and interpret the role of plant breeding in improving crop productivity, quality, resilience, and sustainability. They will also gain an understanding of how advances in genetics, genomics, and biotechnology contribute to contemporary crop improvement programs. Graduates of the course will be able to apply these concepts in educational settings by effectively communicating the biological and genetic principles of plant breeding and their importance for agriculture, food security, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable development. They will be capable of integrating these topics into biology teaching at the lower secondary school level using scientifically accurate and context-based examples.
Prerequisites
Passing the course Plant breeding - general part
BOT/SRO

Assessment methods and criteria
Mark, Oral exam, Written exam, Seminar Work

Knowledge in extent of lectures, practical exercises and recommended literature, 100% participation in practical exercises; Elaboration of protocols from practical exercises.
Recommended literature
  • Acquaah G. (2012). Principles of Plant Genetics and Breeding. Wiley.
  • Houba M., Hosnedl V. (2002). Osivo a sadba, praktické semenářství.
  • Chloupek, O. 2008. (2008). Genetická diverzita, šlechtění a semenářství. Praha.
  • Kole, C. (ed). (2006). Genome mapping and molecular breeding in plants, vol 1, Cereals and Millets..
  • Kole, C. (ed). (2007). Genome mapping and molecular breeding in plants, vol. 2, Oilseeds.
  • Kole, C. (ed). (2007). Genome mapping and molecular breeding in plants, vol. 3, Pulses, Sugar and Tuber Crops..
  • Kole, C. (ed). (2007). Genome mapping and molecular breeding in plants, vol. 4, Fruits and Nuts..
  • Kole, C. (ed). (2007). Genome mapping and molecular breeding in plants, vol. 5, Vegetables..
  • Kole, C. (ed). (2007). Genome mapping and molecular breeding in plants, vol. 6, Technical Crops..
  • Kole, C. (ed). (2007). Genome mapping and molecular breeding in plants, vol. 7, Forest trees,.
  • Singh, R.J. (ed). (2007). Genetic resources, chromosome engineering, and crop improvement, vol. 3 Vegetable crops. USA.


Study plans that include the course
Faculty Study plan (Version) Category of Branch/Specialization Recommended year of study Recommended semester
Faculty: Faculty of Science Study plan (Version): Botany (2021) Category: Biology courses - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: Summer