About this course

The course will provide PhD students with theoretical background and practical examples of using plant breeding methods to adapt plant material to changing climate conditions. Main focus will be on abiotic stress tolerance - and how knowledge on stress responses and tolerance mechanisms can be used to breed new crop plants with improved climate adaptation. In addition to giving examples of conventional breeding and selection methods, the course will provide insight into new method like marker-based breeding, genomic selection, genome editing, speed breeding and sensor-based phenotyping methods as tools to achieve plants with improved stress tolerance. The overall goal is to support the development of sustainable food production systems in the Nordic countries.

Learning outcome

Knowledge

- Understanding the basic concepts of abiotic stress tolerance and climate adaptation

- Understanding how plants with improved climate adaptation can contribute to a more sustainable agriculture

- Knowledge about QTL mapping, GWAS and genomic prediction of breeding values as tools in plant breeding

- Knowledge about the principles behind genetic transformation and genome editing

Skills

- Be able to identify required information and choose appropriate methods to carry out a plant breeding project to develop plants with improved climate adaptation

Competence

- Be able to evaluate feasibility of plant breeding for a given tolerance trait

- Be able to suggest critical measures to reach the goal

  • Learning activities

    The students are requested to bring a poster on their PhD project. The students will receive literature before the start in order to prepare a Student Lecture. There will be no post-campus assignments.

    The course is based on lectures, case studies, working groups and plenum discussions. The course will foster creative thinking, discussions and exchange of ideas among PhD students, teachers and plant breeders.

  • Syllabus

    Students will receive the reading list in due time.

  • Prerequisites

    The course is intended for PhD students with basic knowledge of plant breeding and genetics, crop science and biotechnology. Students with plant breeding related research in their PhD project will get priority.

  • Recommended prerequisites

    The course is intended for PhD students with basic knowledge of plant breeding and genetics, crop science and biotechnology. Students with plant breeding related research in their PhD project will get priority.

  • Assessment method

    Students must present a poster on their PhD project and prepare and give a student lecture exploring relevant methods and principles taught in the course.

    Portfolio Karakterregel: Passed / Not Passed

  • About use of AI

  • Mandatory activity

    Pre-course assignment, student lecture and participation in the on-site course.

  • Notes

    This course is a joint Nordic NOVA PhD course organised by Morten Lillemo, NMBU. Teachers and researchers from NMBU, BOKU, the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), the University of Helsinki, and Agricultural University of Iceland will teach on the course. More details about the course and links for registration will be published on NOVA's website:

    www.slu.se/en/subweb/nova-university-network/

  • Teaching hours

    15 hours teacher lectures

    25 hours student lectures, poster presentations and case studies

  • Preferential right

    Students with plant breeding related research in their PhD project will get priority. Students on PhD level have number one priority. Master's students may inquire vacancy for PhD courses from the contact listed on the course's NOVA webpage.

    Students on PhD level have number one priority. Master's students may inquire vacancy for PhD courses from the contact listed on the course's NOVA webpage.

  • Admission requirements

    The course is intended for PhD students with basic knowledge of plant breeding and genetics, crop science and biotechnology. Students with plant breeding related research in their PhD project will get priority.

    Students on PhD level have number one priority. Master's students may inquire vacancy for PhD courses from the contact listed on the course's NOVA webpage.