L
T
P/S
SW/
FW
2
2
Course Title: CROP IMPROVEMENT PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES
TOTAL
CREDIT
UNITS
03
Course Code:
Credit Units: 03
Course Objective:
This course will impart comprehensive knowledge on various methods of crop improvement
with dimensions and importance of Intellectual Property Rights.
Course Contents:
Pre-requisites:
Fundamental understanding and knowledge of genetics and plant breeding
Student Learning Outcomes:
On completion of the course the student will be able to:
1. Analyze & contrast crop improvement methods that use traditional breeding
techniques with those using biotechnology
2. Demonstrate knowledge on loyal aspects of variety registration, patenting & IP rights
3. Demonstrate methods of selection propagation & hybridization.
Pedagogy for Course Delivery:
The course pedagogy will include lectures, discussion on applications of the topics covered.
Course Contents/Syllabus:
Module I: Introduction
History of Plant Breeding; Plant Breeding in India; Nature of Plant
Breeding; Objective of Plant Breeding; Domestication; Patterns of
Evolution if Crop Plants; Centres of Origin.
Module II: Modes of Reproduction in Crop Plants & Pollination
Control
Weightage (%)
20%
20%
Introduction; Asexual Reproduction; Sexual Production; Anthesis; Modes
of Pollination; Introduction to Pollination Control; Self-Incompatibility;
Apomixis; Introduction to Qualitative and Quantitative Characters;
Genotype and Phenotype; Inheritance of Qualitative Characters.
Module III: Principles : Self-Pollinated Crops & Cross-Pollinated
Crops
Selection in Self-Pollinated Crops; History of Selection; Pureline Theory;
Hybridization; Techniques and Consequences; Heterosis and Inbreeding
Depression.
Module IV: Methods: Self-Pollinated & Cross Pollinated Crops
Mass Selection; Pureline Selection; Pedigree Selection; Bulk Method;
Backcross Method; Population Improvement; Hybrid Varieties
Module V : Stress Resistance & IPR
20%
20%
20
Breeding for Resistance to Abiotic Stress; Drought Resistance; Mineral
Stresses; Heat and Cold Resistance; Breeding for Resistance to Biotic
Stress; Disease Resistance; Insect Resistance; Mutations in Crop
Improvement; Intellectual Property Rights
Practicals :
List of Experiments :
Study of morphological & floral structure in crop plants.
To identify the Plant type ,species & varieties in given field crop
To study emasculation & pollination techniques in field crops.
To study crossing & selfing techniques including floral & morphological characters in different
crops : Wheat; Rice; Maize; Sunflower
To study techniques of hybrid seed production in different crop plants.
Determination of physical purity in given seed sample.
To study seed production techniques in self & cross pollinated crops
Assessment/ Examination Scheme:
Continuous Assessment/ Internal
End Term
Total
Assessment
Examination
Theory Assessment
CT
S
P
A
EE
TT
Weightage (%) 15
05
05
05
70
100
Practical
P
Minor
V&
A
WT
V/P
TP
Assessment
Expt. Performance
Weightage (%) 05
10
10
05
70
100
Abbreviations:
CT – Class Test, S- Seminar, V- Viva, Q- Quiz, HA- Home Assignment, TT- Total
Theory
LR- Lab record, WT- Written Test, P – Performance, TP- Total Practical
The total marks (out of 100) shall be the weighted average of TT and TP in the ratio of
theory and lab credit units, say 2:1.
Text & References:
Singh B D, 2006. Principles of Plant Breeding Kalyani
Hakeem Rehman, Ahmad, Parvaiz and Ozturk, Munir, 2013. Crop Improvement New
Approaches and Modern Techniques Springer
Singh BD, 2005. Biotechnology, Expanding Horizons. Kalyani
Chahal G S and Gosal S S, 2002. Principles and procedure of Plant Breeding Biotechnological
and conventional Approaches