Plants form the basis of life: all food chains, including our own, start with their leaves, fruits and flowers. Crop production, however, faces increased challenges such as climate change, pollution and erosion. Feeding the world therefore requires strong, resilient plant breeds and well-trained plant breeders. People like yourself who are passionate about plant breeding and seed production. In our Advanced Methods in Plant Breeding minor you will learn all there is to know about advanced plant breeding.

What does advanced plant breeding involve?
In a nutshell, it means altering the characteristics of plants, in order to improve them. Plants are improved to increase crop yields; to make plants more resilient to pests, disease and adverse climate conditions, to improve the breeding process, and to enhance the nutritional value of crops. So, as a plant researcher or plant breeder, you will be developing and applying advanced and molecular techniques that, in the end, make sure every mouth on the planet is not only fed but nourished as well.

In this minor, you will learn about several advanced plant breeding methods, such as transgenesis, mutagenesis, marker-assisted selection and in vitro propagation to complement the breeding programme of a specific crop. The programme consists of courses in molecular breeding, data analysis and clonal propagation, provided in English by experienced lecturers and guest speakers. Besides the courses there is an international excursion and an assignment in which you present an advisory report to a seed company.

One of two ‘Plant Breeding minors’
The Advanced Methods in Plant Breeding minor is open to Dutch and international students. Because of the advanced level, it can only be followed in combination with the Plant Breeding and Seed Production minor. This minor was specially developed for those interested in a career in plant breeding and is one of two minors in our 1-year Plant Breeding programme (60 ECTS).
For specific information on this programme, please contact the coordinator Bram Knegt (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

Semester 1 2024-2025

The courses of this minor will be taught on Tuesdays and Thursdays weekly. This course includes a mandatory international excursion (approximately 60 Euros).
Weeks: 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50 and 51.

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 the report and oral presentation.

• Assessment: advisory report + presentation, excursions (6 ECTS), September – January
• Molecular Breeding 1 (theory class) (2 ECTS), September – November
• Molecular Breeding 2 (theory class) (2 ECTS), November – 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 the Advanced Methods in Plant Breeding minor.