SECTION ONE

1.  Selection under self-fertilization

    Early observations on selection, the pure line theory, the genetics of Johannsen's experiment, sources
    of genetic variation.

2. Genetic consequences of hybridization

    The gene-character relationship, epistasis, modifying factors, penetrance and expressivity, threshold
    effects, environmental effects on gene expression,  segregation and  recombination of genes,  the
    genetic composition  of populations  derived from hybrids.

3. Nature and goals of Plant Breeding and patterns of evolution of cultivated species.

    Natural  and   artificial selection, Mendelian variation, interpsecific  hybridization, Polyploidy.

4. Plant Introduction and Domestication

    Commercial varieties  originating from  introductions, centres of origin of cultivated plants,
    maintenance  and use  of world collections, Domestication.

SECTION TWO: BREEDING METHODS WITH SELF-POLLINATED CROPS

1. Pure-line breeding and Mass Selection: pure-line breeding;

    varieties developed by pure-line selection; mass selection.

2. Pedigree method of plant breeding

    choice of parents; aids to selection; handling the hybrid materials; final evaluation; early-generation
    testing; selection among crosses; selection within crosses; general features.

3. Bulk-population breeding: natural selection in bulk

    populations; theory of survival in competition; natural survival in varietal mixtures; survival in hybrid
    populations; survival of genes in populations; yield and appearance of bulk hybrid populations;
    progenies isolated from bulk populations; artificial selection in bulk populations; duration of the bulking
    period.

4. Backcross breeding: the genetic basis of backcross breeding;
    selecting the recurrent parent; maintenance of the character under transfer; the number of
    backcrosses; backcross breeding procedures; backcross breeding in wheat cultivars; improvement
    by steps, applications to cross-pollinated crops; general features.

SECTION THREE  BREEDING METHODS WITH CROSS-POLLINATED CROPS

1. Selection in cross-pollinated crops: mass selection; progeny

    selection and line breeding; varieties developed by selection; long-term mass selection improvements in
    sugar beet, maize and alfalfa.

2. Hybrid varieties: operations in producing hybrid maize;

    developing inbred lines; visual selection during inbreeding; the evaluation of inbred lines; predicting
    performance in hybrid combinations, time of testing inbred lines, hybrid varieties in crops other than
    maize.

3. Recurrent selection: general considerations; simple recurrent

    selection; recurrent selection for general combining ability; recurrent selection for specific combining
    ability; reciprocal recurrent selection.

4. Synthetic varieties theoretical considerations; factors influencing the performance of synthetic varieties
    in maize;

    synthetic varieties in forage crops; relationship of tests for combining ability.

SECTION FOUR:  SPECIAL BREEDING STRAGEGIES

1. Breeding for disease and pest resistance

2. Distribution and maintenance of improved varieties.

SECTION FIVE: PLANT BREBDING SEMINARS

1. The history, development and success of plant breeding.

2. The conservation of genetic resources.