PLB 304: Introductory Resistance Breeding
Credit Hours: 2 (2+0)
Full Marks: 50 (Theory: 50, Practical: 0)
Course Objectives
Upon completion, students will be able to:
- Understand principles and practices of resistance breeding.
- Learn about natural enemies and plant defense mechanisms.
- Explore breeding for disease, insect, and abiotic stress resistance.
- Apply modern selection techniques including molecular markers and gene pyramiding.
- Understand development of resistant varieties in Nepal.
I. Syllabus Overview
- Principles of resistance breeding (biotic and abiotic).
- Natural enemies, defense mechanisms, and gene-for-gene hypothesis.
- Sources and tests for resistance; stage of development and evaluation of inoculums.
- Breeding for resistance against diseases, insects, drought, heat, mineral stresses, and cold.
- Selection procedures: backcrossing, recurrent selection, molecular markers, marker-assisted selection.
- Durability of resistance and strategies for non-durable resistance.
- Development of resistant varieties in Nepal (cereals, vegetables, legumes, oilseeds).
II. Course Outline
A. Lectures (30)
| S.N. | Topic | Subtopic | No. of Lectures |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction to resistance breeding | Biotic and abiotic resistance | 1 |
| 2 | Natural enemies and types | Natural enemies, types | 2 |
| 3 | Defence mechanisms | Against pathogens, parasites, insects; gene-for-gene hypothesis | 3 |
| 4 | Diversity of resistance mechanisms | Broad resistance, non-host, host range; hypersensitivity, partial resistance, suppressors | 2 |
| 5 | Sources and tests of resistance | Non-host, mutations, genetic modification; field & in vitro tests | 2 |
| 6 | Stage of development, inoculums, evaluation | Stage of development & natural enemies application; composition of inoculums; quantitative & qualitative evaluation | 3 |
| 7 | Breeding for disease & insect resistance | Disease resistance; insect resistance | 5 |
| 8 | Breeding for abiotic stress | Drought, heat, mineral stresses, cold | 4 |
| 9 | Selection procedures | Backcrossing, recurrent selection, molecular markers, MAS | 3 |
| 10 | Durability & application of non-durable resistance | Gene pyramiding, multilines, cultivar mixtures, integrated control | 4 |
| 11 | Development of resistant varieties in Nepal | Cereals, vegetables, legumes, oilseeds | 4 |
| Total | 30 |
References
- Jacobsen, E. (2010). Genetic Variation and Genetic Modification In Vitro. Wageningen University, The Netherlands.
- Johnsen, R. (1984). A critical analysis of durable resistance. Phytopathology, 22: 309-330.
- Knott, D.R. (1989). Effect of transfers of alien genes for leaf rust resistance on agronomic and quality traits in wheat. Euphytica, 44: 65-72.
- Niks, R.E., & Lindhout, W.H. (2010). Breeding for Resistance against Diseases and Pests. Wageningen University, The Netherlands.
- Singh, B.D. (2005). Plant Breeding: Principles and Methods (7th Ed.). Kalyani Publishers, New Delhi, India.
