The Department currently runs the Master of Philosophy (MPhil) programme in Plant Breeding and Biotechnology.
Year One
First Semester
Second Semester
The programme provides knowledge and skill for students wishing to undertake a career in plant breeding and crop biotechnology. The programme is relatively new and would be beneficial in producing highly skilled manpower capable of developing plant varieties that show potential in achieving food security in an increasingly harsh climatic condition with attendant socio-economic crisis. This programme is unique in the sense that it will bring biotechnology and breeding to the fore in our effort in crop improvement.
Objectives
The students are expected to acquire knowledge in the application of advanced crop improvement principles to breed crops adapted to the different agro-ecological zones of the country; analytical methods to assess the stability of crops bred for biotic and abiotic stress conditions; understand genetic variation of tropical crops for genetic hybridization. They will also acquire practical skills for genetic manipulation and plant breeding, selection of appropriate breeding strategies, application of biotechnological tools (molecular and tissue culture) for crop improvement and production, application of molecular markers and their use in gene mapping and crop improvement and be familiar with the respective roles of producers, traders, consumers and governments in setting breeding goals (value chain approach). The programme through off-site visits will widen awareness of the latest developments in, and requirements of modern agro-industry as related to the exploitation of these technologies for a wide range of commercially important crops. This will enable the students to demonstrate their ability to learn and conceptualize multiple theoretical and practical research tasks assigned to them.
This course gives students a deeper understanding of genetics and its application to plant breeding : Mendelian genetics (single-gene inheritance, independent assortment of genes), Cell structure and organization of chromosomes; chromosome and theory of inheritance; Cell cycle; DNA and RNA as evidence of hereditary material; Gene recombination in higher plants; Gene expression (transcription and translation) Linkage, Recombination and chromosome mapping; Mutations, Variation and Evolution; Gene interactions; Gene Linkages and gene mapping; Introduction to Plant Breeding; What is plant breeding, History of plant breeding, Domestication of crops, Setting Breeding Objectives, Genetic Resources, Classical Plant Breeding, Molecular tools for Plant Breeders; Double haploid formation as a breeding tool, Plant tissue culture, Marker assisted breeding, Plant genetic transformation; Importance of plant breeding today; Who breeds plants (Universities, CGIAR Centers, National research programs, Seed industry). Procedures for releasing crop varieties in Ghana
This course is designed to provide students with in-depth knowledge of quantitative genetic theory to enable them evaluate relevant literature in the discipline. Topics to be covered include: change in gene frequency, Gene and genotypic frequencies (Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium), Expectations of mean squares in ANOVA, estimates of variance components, heritability, response to selection, selection advantage, multiple trait selection, covariance of relatives, genotype by environment interaction, heterosis and inbreeding depression, mating designs – North Carolina designs (NCI, NC II and NC III), Diallel (Half diallel, full diallel, partial diallel), line x tester, general and specific combining ability; quantitative data handling and analysis, QTL mapping and analysis.
This course examines and sexual production of plants and its importance to plant survival. It explains how pollination occurs and describes the types of pollination. Topics include Phases of Plant Reproduction; Gamete Production; Gene Mutation; Sources of Genetic Variation: Polyploidy, Bud Sports and Chimeras; Male Sterility; Use of Pollination Biology in Plant Breeding: Pollination Process, Pollination Requirements, Cross Pollination,Fertilization, Male/Female Recognition, Overcoming incompatibility, Post Fertilization, Pollen Selection, etc. Mitosis and Meiosis; Genes; Sexual Structures in Plants: Flowers, Fruit and Seed.
This is course is designed to equip students with knowledge of the concepts and principles of plant breeding. Topics will include review processes of crop,; advance breeding methods (hybridization, pedigree breeding, recurrent selection, backcross breeding, single seed descent etc.) breeding for biotic and abiotic stresses ; methods for breeding self pollinated crop; breeding cross pollinated crops; genotype-environment interactions; inbreeding and out-breeding on genetic improvement; genetic purity and maintainance, use of molecular tools in crop improvement - the value of molecular markers, genomic approaches, tissue culture applications to plant breeding; genetic modification and the development of physiological ideotypes in commercial breeding; Mutation breeding, linkage of genetics, breeding and physiology in modern crop improvement. Stages of cultivar development; plant breeders’ right and intellectual property.
This course discusses statistical methods and biometrical techniques commonly used in planting. Topics include: Concepts of reducing experimental error for agricultural research, Principles of Experimental Designs, Hypothesis testing, Mating Designs, Covariance Analysis, Simple and Multiple correlations and regression, Path coefficient and multivariate analysis, Parametric and Non-parametric statistical methods, Categorical data analysis, Statistical and Computational tools in molecular breeding and biotechnology; Statistical methods in bioinformatics; analysis using statistical software. Data management for integrated breeding.
The course is to develop students’ proficiency in French by speaking, listening, reading and writing. It aims at equipping students with basic French communication skills. The course is for students who have little or no knowledge in French. French techniques of expression
from short dialogue would be used to help students have the ability to communicate freely in French. Attention will be paid to the correct sentence formation and pronunciation.
The course gives an in-depth training in agronomy and the physiology of arable crops. It examines the responses of plants to environmental stresses. Topics include concept of Bioenergy and its involvement in plant growth and development. Photosynthesis: Ultra structure of the chloroplast: Existence of photosystems; Definition of photosynthesis; Mechanism of photosynthesis light and Dark reactions (C3 pathway). Factors - Law of limiting factors, Temperature, light, carbon dioxide and water Experiments: Light screen, Evolution of O2, Mohl's half leaf experiment and necessity of chlorophyll for photosynthesis. Respiration: Ultra structure of mitochondrion as a seat of respiration; Definition of respiration. Types of respiration, Respiration Quotient [RQ]. Mechanism of aerobic and anaerobic respirations; Pasteur's effect; A brief account of external and interna1 factors; Fermentation as in industrial process. Experiments: Evolution of CO2, Ganong's simple respiroscope. Thermos flask experiment and Kuhne's fermentation tube. Experiment to demonstrate anaerobic respiration.
This course is designed to equip the student mainly in the diagnostics and management of plant virus, bacteria, fungi and nematode diseases. The module provides basic biological information about bacteria, viruses, nematodes, and fungi which include their composition, properties and replication; transmission of these pathogens, the harmful effects on host plants by these pathogens and also the production of toxins by some of these pathogens; plant disease epidemiology and how to mitigate damage using various integrated pest management strategies including the use of agricultural by products such as biochar as soil amendment and management of pathogens.
This course is an introduction to bioinformatics for genetic and biological sciences. The course will provide a foundation in biological computing that includes command line interfaces, reformatting data, creating and editing graphics, automating analyses and database access, and scripting in biological programming languages used for bioinformatics. Topics will cover Unix Basics Part I and II; Bioinformatics Databases; Sequence alignment; Similarity searching; Multiple alignment; Phylogenetic analysis; Patterns and sequence-function relationships; SNPs and Haplotypes; Analysis of Microarray Data; Next generation sequencing, Omics, Proteomics.
This course discusses the principles, protocols and utilization of plant cell tissue culture systems. Topics would include: Introduction to tissue culture, Initiation and maintenance of callus cultures, Choice of explants, Preparation and sterilization of explants, Callus induction, subculture and maintenance suspension cultures, Root cultures, meristem cultures, micro propagation in the shoot apex. Others include; Embryogenesis, organogenesis and plant regeneration, Development of somatic hybrid plants, Transformation of plants, Protoplast culture and fusion, Selection of plant cells for desirable characteristics, Haploid cell cultures, Embryo rescue and uses, Secondary metabolites production by cell suspension culture, Cryopreservation and storage of germplasm, Tissue culture methods in phytopathology, Commercial micro propagation and Tissue culture in plant genetic resource management.
This course focuses on the DNA and protein structure, regulation of gene expression at the molecular level, protein synthesis and the application of molecular genetics to crop improvement.; gene identification; gene isolation; synthesis of genes and gene cloning; restriction enzymes and vectors; regeneration in crop plants, gene transfer systems-vector mediated gene transfer, microinjection, electroporation, direct DNA uptake, gene gun technique. Others include Selectable markers and reporter system, Application of Plant Genetic Engineering and biotechnology - Transgenic crops - application of recombinant DNA technology – current status and future prospects, Regulation mechanism for genetically modified crops, Biosafety issues of transgenic crops and stewardship, Molecular Breeding - morphological, biochemical and DNA based markers (RFLP, RAPD, AFLP, SSLPetc.); Mapping populations (F2s, backcrosses, RILs, NILsand DHs), Molecular mapping and tagging of agronomically important traits, Marker assisted selection for qualitative and quantitative traits, Gene pyramiding, Biotechnology application in male sterility/hybrid breeding, Briefly covers current regulatory and legal requirements associated with molecular genetics and biotechnology. Subsequent environmental, ethical and moral questions concerning molecular genetics and biotechnology are raised for class discussion.
This course focuses on how students can handle the immediate context of daily experience in spoken and written French: identifying, describing, and characterizing people, objects, places, and events; giving information and instructions; issuing simple commands and requests. Speaking and writing in French about past and future events; telling a story (narrating and describing the past), promising, predicting, and proposing simple hypotheses and conjectures.
This course looks at the response of plants to climate variability and change and its impact on crops. Topics included plant growth and development; the influence of the environment; evolution and adaptation; comparative ecology and phenology; the acquisition of resources: energy and carbon, mineral nutrients, water, temperature, toxicity: ecological perspectives, the individual plant, interactions among plants, interactions between plants and other organisms; strategies and dynamics.
The focus is on the mechanisms by which the major insect pests cause economic losses in crops and the relation to the biology of the causal organisms. Insect pests are considered in the wider context of the diversity of invertebrates in plant communities and relevance of their population biology to the selection of effective control strategies. Knowledge of the interactions between plants and insect pest is developed in relation to the application to crop protection. The course will also equip the student to understand the concept for development of integrated weed and crop management systems for sustainable production, and also to understand the importance of herbicide physiology and chemistry for production.
This course is designed to provide students with knowledge on how seeds are formed and principles of the production of seeds. Seed biology will cover the physiological and biochemical basis underlying seed formation and development; seed germination; seed dormancy and utilization of food reserves during the early stages of seedling growth. Other topics include seed quality evaluation, seed storage and deterioration, seed drying and conditioning and seed certification.