Course Description
Genetic mechanisms and basic biological processes of host plant resistance in crop plants. The course will also cover the structure, function and evolution of disease resistant loci, long-term goals of agriculture for improvement of disease resistance, and purposed methods for crop protection against plant pathogens.
Athena Title
Gene Host Plant Resist Disease
Prerequisite
PATH 3530-3530L or GENE 3200-3200D or GENE 3200E or GENE 3200H or PBIO(CRSS) 4500/6500 or permission of department
Semester Course Offered
Offered spring
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
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.
Topical Outline
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
Syllabus