Courses

Spring 2022

PLBRG 2010 – Plants, Genes, and Global Food Production

(BIONLS-AG, OPHLS-AG) (CU-SBY)


Spring. 3 credits. Letter grades only.

Introduction to plant breeding; offers a sense of the importance of the field, tracing its evolution from crop domestication to modern applications of biotechnology. Offers examples of how breeding objectives are realized and raises questions about the environmental, social, and economic consequences of intensive food production systems. Emphasizes the diverse interactions between humans and plants, and connections between plant genetics, scientific research, and the potential to respond to the growing human demand for food, fiber, fuel, and environmental sustainability.

 

Fall (yearly, beginning 2022)

PLBRG 4030/PLBRG 6030 – Genetic Improvement of Crop Plants

(OPHLS-AG)


Fall. 3 credits. Letter grades only.

Prerequisite: BIOMG 2800 or PLBRG 2250 or other standard genetics course and course in crops or horticulture. PLBRG 4030 and PLBRG 6030 co-meet.

Genetic enhancement of crop value to humans began with domestication and continues with farmers’ variety development and scientifically trained plant breeders’ applications of Mendelian, quantitative, and molecular genetics. This course examines crop genetic improvement methods by discussing the history and current practice of plant breeding, tools available to breeders, choices and modifications of those tools to meet specific objectives, and challenges plant breeders face in developing varieties for the future.