Development of crop ideotypes
A.A. 2026/2027
Obiettivi formativi
Objective of the course is to provide students with knowledge of multidisciplinary approaches to design and breed new crop ideotypes to improve quantity, quality, efficiency and sustainability of agricultural production for different end-uses. Integrating genetics, genomics and modeling, the course is centered on ideotype breeding with special focus on cereals and other cultivated plants as case studies.
Risultati apprendimento attesi
Knowledge of the principles of ideotype breeding. Understanding of genetic and molecular mechanisms controlling plant architecture and development and how their manipulation can be applied to crop breeding. Connecting understanding of plant gene function and genetic diversity to traits and field performance. Use of biophysical models to design ideotypes targeting current climate and future projections.
Periodo: Primo semestre
Modalità di valutazione: Esame
Giudizio di valutazione: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Corso singolo
Questo insegnamento può essere seguito come corso singolo.
Programma e organizzazione didattica
Edizione unica
Responsabile
Programma
Ideotype concept. General principles of plant growth and development. Genetic control of plant height - Green Revolution genes. Developmental plasticity and plant height submergence tolerance in rice. Genetic control of plant architecture - smart canopy, shoot branching and tillering. Genetics of inflorescence architecture and grain yield. Biophysical models to analyze G × E × M interaction. Defining ideotype profiles using biophysical models. Climate change scenarios for mid-term ideotyping strategies.
Practicals: phenotyping of a barley crossing population for morphological traits, segregation analyses and formulation of basic hereditary models, DNA extraction and genotyping analysis of a molecular marker associated with a phenotypic trait.
Practicals: phenotyping of a barley crossing population for morphological traits, segregation analyses and formulation of basic hereditary models, DNA extraction and genotyping analysis of a molecular marker associated with a phenotypic trait.
Prerequisiti
Students are expected to have a good knowledge of: plant cell biology, morphology and reproduction; genetics, crop physiology and statistics. Basic knowledge of molecular biology and associated techniques including PCR, molecular markers is also desirable.
Metodi didattici
The course is held entirely in English and consists of a series of lectures, completed by practical sessions where students will get hands-on experience with collecting phenotypic data from a barley crossing population, analysis and interpretation of trait segregation and formulation of hereditary models, and genotyping analysis of a molecular marker associated with a morphological trait.
Materiale di riferimento
Lecture presentations (in English), research and review articles available via MyAriel site.
Modalità di verifica dell’apprendimento e criteri di valutazione
The exam involves (1) an in depth presentation of an original research paper regarding a topic connected to the course contents and previously defined with the lecturer, (2) an oral exam with three questions on the course contents, two on the genetics/breeding part and one on the modeling part. Regarding (1), interested students can collaborate on the organization of a workshop on a common central topic, in which each student will give a presentation on an original research article (journal club format) and answer questions from the audience including other students, teachers, PhD students and post-docs. Students with SLD or disability certifications are kindly requested to contact the teacher at least 15 days before the date of the exam session to agree on individual exam requirements. In the email please make sure to add in cc the competent offices: [email protected] (for students with SLD) o [email protected] (for students with disability). Students with SLD certifications are kindly requested to check information at the following web page https://www.unimi.it/en/study/student-services/services-students-specific-learning-disabilities-sld
AGRI-06/A - Genetica agraria - CFU: 6
Esercitazioni: 12 ore
Conferenze: 40 ore
Conferenze: 40 ore
Docente:
Rossini Laura
Siti didattici
Docente/i
Ricevimento:
Ricevimento su appuntamento. Si pregano gli studenti di contattarmi preventivamente via e.mail.
Presso lo studio della docente, DiSAA - Agronomia, oppure su piattaforma MS Teams.