Crop Improvement – (M.Sc.)

Contents

Modules
Experimentation and Computing Techniques

Principles of experimentation in crop science, basic statistical principles, experimental design, hypothesis testing, sources of error, analysis of variance, regression techniques, presentation of data, use of Genstat for data analysis. There are two routes through the module; one for crop scientists and one for all other students.

Crop Research Techniques

The overall objective of this module is to introduce students to techniques that are used in research to improve crop performance. Techniques for crop research with emphasis on resource capture and utilisaton (radiation, water nutrients) meteorlogical measurements.

Project: Crop Improvement

The project may be on any subject related to the MSc in Crop Improvement and subject to the approval of the Course Director. A suitable hypothesis and project plan must be presented and approved by the end of the Autumn Semester. Usually, experimental procedures, measurements and analysis will take place during Semester 2 and over the Summer Period.

Principles of Crop Science

This module introduces the characteristics and management of the major soil groups, and how cropping is affected by soil type. The principles of crop nutrition. The biology of weeds and the principles of weed control; cultural and chemical. The module also considers contemporary and future developments in agronomy.

Resource Capture by Crops

This module provides an introduction to crop physiology and the principles by which agricultural species capture and convert resources such as solar radiation and water into dry matter and yield.

Plant Genetic Manipulation: Practical Techniques

A range of practical techniques relevant to Plant Genetic Manipulation will be covered through laboratory-based practicals. These will include:

* Conventional and non-conventional techniques of plant hybridisation, in vitro pollination, pollen viability and germination.
* Agrobacterium-induced transformation using wild-type and engineered strains of A. tumefaciens and A. rhizogenes.
* Tissue culture, micropropagation and protoplast fusion.
* DNA isolation for RAPD analysis and confirmation of hybridity.
* Evaluation of RAPD fragments patterns for phylogeny analysis.
* Analysis of transgenic plants.
* Direct DNA uptake into protoplasts.
* Biolistic and microinjection technologies; flow cytometric analysis for ploidy.

Fundamental and Applied Aspects of Plant Genetic Manipulation

This module covers the latest innovative techniques and approaches to genetic engineering in higher plants, including the use of tissue culture systems and cell fusion technology to study plant and somatic cell hybridisation. Detailed consideration is also given to the development of plant transformation systems for crop improvement. Students will also prepare and present a poster as coursework and a research paper review. Topics will reflect the general area of plant genetic manipulation.

Plant Biotechnology

This module is taught in the School of Biosciences, Rothamsted Research and the Jodrell Laboratory, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew with input from Agro-industry, mediated via off site visits. It covers the application of the latest and emergent biotechnology options and bioinformatics for crop improvement and production.

Current Issues in Crop Science

This integrative module considers future options and possible strategies for crop production in UK and world agriculture. Students are introduced to a number of issues that have current or possible future impacts on crop breeding, production systems and the environment. Examples of issues that will be addressed include: the future of genetically modified crops, impact of crop production on biodiversity and prospects for organic crop production. The content will change each year to reflect current issues in crop science. This module is suitable for students interested in applied plant science, agriculture and the environment.

Genetic Improvement of Crop Plants

The genetic improvement of crop plants is critical to address issues of food security for a growing world population. It is also the key to tackling environmental degradation and to meeting the increasing strict regulations on agricultural pollution which are coming into force in many Western countries. While these issues are not identical, they are linked and efficient plant breeding can be part of the solution to both. The module will use lectures, case and literature studies, research plan presentations, external expert seminars and practical exposure to crop breeding and molecular techniques to provide a firm basis for future crop breeding. The emphasis is the application of Biotechnology to conventional breeding, but the place of Genetic Modification in the genetic improvement of crops is also addressed. Crops covered include temperate and tropical, annual and perennial, in-breeding and out-breeding with emphasis on how genetic improvement will be achieved in the near future, while recognising the potential of novel techniques and the existance of varying priorities, in the face of a changing climate.

World Crop Ecosystems

The objective of this module is to introduce global aspects to the challenges of crop improvement. Crops are a central component of agroecosystems and economies worldwide so a broad consideration within the context of crop improvement and the climates of the future is extremely important. This module will cover : (1) the range of agricultural species and their geographical distributions including centres of diversity, relationship with natural resources, climate and soil factors, different mechanisms of resource capture and the effects of human intervention throughout, including the `green revolution´. (2) The potential for the improvement of both the major crop species and under-utilised crop species on a global scale, giving due consideration to the projected requirements for crops with respect to population, land-use, climate and technology.