Principles and Methods of Vine Improvement

General

• Code: TABO-93-Θ3
• Semester: 9th
• Study Level: Undergraduate
• Course type: Special Background
• Teaching and exams language: Greek (English for Erasmus students)
• The course is offered to Erasmus students
• Teaching Methods (Hours/Week): Tutorials (Theory) (2) / Practice works (2)
• ECTS Units: 5
• Class Schedule:
  • Tue 08:00 - 10:00: Θεωρία
  • Tue 10:00 - 12:00: Εργαστήριο

Course Contents

The interdisciplinarity of plant breeding. Origin, evolution and reproductive systems of cultivated grapevine species in relation to genetic variability. Introduction and exploitation of genetic material. Gene stock. The genetic basis of grapevine improvement. Quantitative traits Heredity. Response to choice.

Mass selection. Clean lines. Pedigree improvement. Single seed origin. Cross-over. Mixed varieties. Enhancement of mass populations. Pollination control systems: Self-incompatible, Male sterility, Chemical male sterility .Breeding of cross-fertilized plants: Recurrent selection for intra- and inter-population improvement. Production methods and utilization of varieties-hybrids. Production methods and utilization of synthetic varieties.

Biotechnological approaches to plant breeding: Molecular breeding and Genetic engineering. Specific breeding methods: Polyploidy. Mutagenesis. In vitro techniques – Haplospecific improvement. Distant intersections. Preservation, propagation and registration of varieties.

Educational Goals

The purpose of the course is to introduce students to the basic principles governing the genetic improvement of plants and vines in particular and to the main methodological/technological approaches used to achieve the goals of a breeding program. By the end of the semester, students will be able to understand and design a basic improvement plan for a qualitative or quantitative grapevine trait utilizing quantitative genetic and molecular breeding methods. At the same time, they will have become familiar with specific laboratory techniques that are often used in improvement.

General Skills

• Analysis, synthesis of knowledge and decision-making with individual and/or group work.
• Searching for information using a computer by referring to databases as well as the university library.
• Promotion of free, creative thinking and production of new ideas.

Teaching Methods

• In the classroom, face to face.

Use of ICT means

• Basic software (windows, word, power point, the web, etc.).
• Support of learning process through the electronic platform / e-class.

Teaching Organization

Students Evaluation

• The grade in theory is 100% derived from the grade from the final written exam.
• The grade in the laboratory results 100% from the final written exam.

Recommended Bibliography

1. Π.Ι. Καλτσίκης: Βελτίωση Φυτών- Αρχές και Μέθοδοι. Εκδόσεις Σταμούλη 1989.
2. B.D. Singh: Plant Breeding, Principles and Methods. Kalyani Publishers 1993 Rex Bernardo: Breeding for Quantitative Traits in Plants, Stemma Press.

Related Research Journals

1. Crop Science.
2. Molecular Breeding.
3. Euphytica.
4. Transgenic Research.