Plant Breeding 3 (UoA)

Undergraduate | 2026

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Area/Catalogue
AGRI 3002
Course ID icon
Course ID
202915
Level of study
Level of study
Undergraduate
Unit value icon
Unit value
6
Course level icon
Course level
3
Study abroad and student exchange icon
Inbound study abroad and exchange
Inbound study abroad and exchange
The fee you pay will depend on the number and type of courses you study.
Yes
University-wide elective icon
University-wide elective course
Yes
Single course enrollment
Single course enrolment
Yes
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Note:
Course data is interim and subject to change

Course overview

Genetic manipulation in plants has underpinned improvements in productivity and has enhanced sustainability of farming systems worldwide. As well, plant genetic diversity is fundamental to understand adaptation in natural systems. This course introduces the fundamental concepts of plant breeding and plant adaptation that are applicable to agricultural and natural systems. Extensive industry engagement is also undertaken as part of the course curriculum where students connect with industry leaders in the plant breeding discipline, whether in broad-acre cropping (e.g. wheat, barley, canola, faba bean breeding) or horticulture (e.g. almond breeding). The topics covered include: genetic diversity in relation to adaptation, productivity, pest and disease resistance and end-use quality; strategies for setting breeding objectives and maximising selection and improvement of key traits; breeding methodologies for self or cross pollinated plants.

Course learning outcomes

  • Describe sources and types of genetic variation andexplain their importance for plant improvement.
  • Describe the progression of stages within a modern breedingprogramme from the setting of breeding objectives, through the development andimplementation of breeding strategies to the commercialisation of plantvarieties and the protection of intellectual property.
  • Describe methods that are used in plant breeding.
  • Locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise informationrelevant to plant breeding.
  • Judge which plant breeding methods are appropriate forspecific objectives and situations.
  • Formulate and justify a plan for the application of plantbreeding methods to achieve a specific objective.
  • Carry out specific plant breeding activities, such asselection of parental germplasm, observation and recording of phenotypicvariation and selection among progeny.

Prerequisite(s)

N/A

Corequisite(s)

N/A

Antirequisite(s)

N/A