Have you ever considered what will happen if there is not enough food to go around? Well, here is some food for thought. With the world population on the rise, the demand for food is increasing rapidly. Meanwhile, erosion and depletion of resources is causing a decrease in the amount of arable land suitable for food crop production. All in all, this means future food security is under threat. Luckily, aspiring plant breeders like yourself are here to save the day. And our Plant Breeding minor programme will teach you how.

What does plant breeding involve?
Plant breeding is to food crop production what seeds are to flowering plants. Newly developed crop cultivars form the foundation of plants that are resistant to pests and disease, and tolerant of salt, floods and drought. Plants for sustainable food crops with a higher yield. As a plant breeder or plant researcher, you will set up breeding programmes for the development of new crop cultivars that ensure millions of mouths will not go hungry. 

What will you learn?
In the Plant Breeding minor, you will learn about genetic variation and breeding methods, seed production, resistance breeding and experimental design. The programme consists of courses in advanced plant breeding methods, such as transgenesis, mutagenesis, marker-assisted selection and in vitro propagation. Theory is put into practice in several field trips and an international excursion to the fields and facilities of leading seed companies. The programme ends with an assignment in which you analyse the breeding programmes of a seed company and present an advisory report.

On completion of this minor, you will be able to design, organize and implement a breeding programme under supervision of a main breeder. You will also be able to understand and discuss a variety of advanced plant breeding methods and choose appropriate methods to achieve specific breeding objectives.

A comprehensive 1-year programme
The Plant Breeding minor is a comprehensive 1-year programme that is open to Dutch and international students. It consists of two minors:
(1.) Plant Breeding and Seed Production
(2.) Advanced Methods in Plant Breeding
All of the courses are provided in English by experienced lecturers and guest speakers. For specific information on the 1-year Plant Breeding programme, please contact the coordinator Bram Knegt at b.knegt@aeres.nl.

You can participate in this minor if you have:

• Successfully completed two to three years of a related bachelor program, such as Applied Biology, Horticulture and Arable Farming or an additional degree in a related course. Subjects of your previous education should include: plant taxonomy, plant growth and reproduction, plant physiology, Mendelian genetics, biology of pests and diseases, cell biology, basis statistics.
  
  or

• in case the candidate can prove that he/she has a knowledge of these topics gained through working experience he/she may be exempted from fulfilling one of the previous criteria
  
  and

• English level of IELTS 6.0 or equivalent for EU students; a test can be taken at an intake session of the course, without extra costs. Overseas students need to provide an authenticated proof in advance.

Practical guides and additional documents will be provided through the online learning environment (Canvas).

Recommended: Acquaah, G. (2012) Principles of Plant genetics and breeding. Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN: 978-0-470-66476-6

The courses of this minor will be taught on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday in the weeks 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 44, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 2 and 3. 
This course includes a mandatory international excursion (approximately 60 Euros).

There are several components in this minor, each with a specific evaluation procedure. Theory classes will be completed with a written exam; practicals and fieldwork will be evaluated by attendance and a proof of proficiency; the assessment will be evaluated on the quality of reports and oral presentation.

Part 1 Plant Breeding and Seed Production

• Assessment: breeding program + oral defense (4 ECTS), September – January
• Genetic variation and breeding methods (4 ECTS), exam in January
• Biology of seed production (3 ECTS), exam in November
• Breeding for resistance (2 ECTS), exam in January
• Experimental design and field trails (2 ECTS), computer exam in November

Part 2 Advanced Methods in Plant Breeding

• Assessment: advisory report + presentation, excursions (6 ECTS), September - January
• Molecular Breeding 1 (theory class) (2 ECTS), exam in November
• Molecular Breeding 2 (theory class) (2 ECTS), exam in January
• Data Analysis (computer practical) (2 ECTS), November – January
• Clonal Propagation (lab practical) (3 ECTS), September - January

Apply now!
So, what do you think? Can you see yourself playing your part in plant breeding? Apply now or click the link for more information on this Plant Breeding minor.