Introduction to the biodiversity of cultivated plants. Basics of population genetics and quantitative genetics. Biodiversity study of , herbaceous and arboreal cultivated plants.
The teaching wants to make the student aware of the main ones
characteristics of agricultural systems, understanding their diversity and
importance of safeguarding genetic resources and the environment.
Prerequisites
-
Teaching Methods
Frontal lessons and exercises
Further information
Frequency is not compulsory
Type of Assessment
Written test at the end of the course.
Course program
Introduction to plant genetics: Mendel's laws, genes, chromosomes.
DNA duplication
Introduction to population genetics:
Genic and genotypic frequencies; equilibrium of Hardy & Weinberg.
Evolutionary forces: Migration, Selection and Genetic drift mutation (random drift).
Fitness and selection. Inbreeding and consaguineity coefficient.
Genetics of quantitative traits: genetic variance, additive and dominant.
Inheritability and response to selection. The domestication syndrome. Morphological and genetic modifications
during domestication.
Germplasm and conservation of biodiversity.
Biodiversity of cultivated plants
Case study: wheat, evolution, cultivation and production, technological and food quality.
Fruit tree genetic improvement: case study of peachy.
Fruit tree genetic improvement: case study of plum tree.
Fruit tree genetic improvement: case study of pear
Genetic improvement of forest trees.