The course dynamics will influence students to develop a depth 
and breadth of knowledge that will allow them to understand and 
develop basic and applied biological questions concerning plant-
pathogen interactions and crop improvement. The topics in this 
course will be covered through lectures, review of classic and 
recent journal articles, class discussions, guest speakers and 
student presentations. It is expected through successful 
completion of this course the student will: 
1. Understand the history of host plant resistance in 
agronomically important crops and its significance to 
agriculture and crop improvement. 
2. Gain an understanding of the genetic and molecular basis of 
resistance in crop plants, mechanisms directing plant 
resistance to various pathogens and strategies pathogens use to 
evade plant resistance gene (R-gene) recognition. 
3. Comprehend the structure, function and evolution of plant 
disease resistance loci, the nature of selection at these loci 
and significance of selection in creating novel resistance 
phenotypes. 
4. Know the genetic and biotechnological methods and strategies 
currently used for crop protection and development of cultivars 
with durable resistance. 
5. Learn to critically and logically interpret the literature 
(journal articles) regarding host plant resistance and develop 
a research project from these interpretations.

Course Requirements: 
Students are expected to attend all classes on time. Reading 
and homework assignments are to be completed prior to class. Be 
prepared to discuss assigned reading/papers and ask questions. 
Active participation in class discussions is required and will 
be evaluated. Quizzes and homework will cover information from 
assigned reading as well as topic discussions from papers 
presented by students or guest speakers. Any topics already 
covered in class are potential material for quizzes. Students 
will be required to prepare and present one topic paper to the 
class toward the end of the semester. Selected topics must be 
directly related to material covered in the course and receive 
instructor approval. Presentation guidelines and expectations 
will be disseminated to the students.

Outline of Course Topics (in approximate order): 
I. Introduction 
   A. History of host plant resistance and importance to 
agriculture 
   B. Terminology 
II. Qualitative Resistance 
   A. Mendelian inheritance 
   B. Gene-for-Gene and other models 
   C. Epistatic and environmental interactions 
   D. Allelism and linkage 
III. Quantitative Resistance 
   A. Measurement of quantitative resistance 
   B. Inheritance of quantitative resistance 
   C. QTL (quantitative trait loci) analysis 
IV. Host-pathogen Co-evolution 
   A. Genetic structure of plant populations 
   B. Genetic structure of pathogen populations 
   C. Plant pathogen co-evolution 
   D. Strategies for durable resistance 
V. Breeding for Resistance (guest speakers) 
   A. Self pollinated crops 
   B. Cross pollinated crops 
VI. Biotechnology for Resistance 
   A. Gene mapping and marker assisted selection 
   B. Families of resistance and avirulence genes 
   C. Transgenic resistance strategies 
VII. Student Presentations

Students should refer to the handbook "A Culture of Honesty" 
for the policies and procedures on academic honesty at The 
University of Georgia. Students are encouraged to collaborate 
when it pertains to discussion of course topics. However, 
students are expected to individually demonstrate a thorough 
understanding of the material through working problem sets and 
quizzes. All testing materials and presentations with respect 
to intellectual content are to be completed independently.