13 Genetics

TRIMESTERWISE DISTRIBUTION OF COURSES

I TRIMESTER
L P
GP 500 ELEMENTS OF GENETICS 3 2
GP 510 PRINCIPLES OF CYTOGENETICS 3 2
GP 521 BREEDING FIELD CROPS-I 2 1
GP 530 QUANTITATIVE GENETICS 4 1
GP 540 INTRODUCTION TO BIOINFORMATICS 3 1
GP 550 FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPTS OF PLANT BREEDING 3 2
GP 607/ REGULATORY MECHANISMS AND INTELLECTUAL 3 1
PGR 607 PROPERTY RIGHTS
GP 691 SEMINAR 1 0

II TRIMESTER
AGR 010 ELEMENTS OF GENETICS AND PLANT BREEDING 2 1
GP 520 ELEMENTS OF PLANT BREEDING 3 2
GP 522 BREEDING FIELD CROPS-II 2 1
GP 600 DEVELOPMENT OF GENE CONCEPT 4 0
GP 610 CROP CYTOGENETICS 2 1
GP 612 DIVERSITY ANALYSIS 2 1
GP 643 CONCEPTS IN HETEROSIS BREEDING 2 1
GP 691 SEMINAR 1 0

III TRIMESTER
PGS 506 HISTORY OF AGRICULTURE 1 0
GP 602 MUTAGENESIS 3 2
GP 603 TOPICS IN POPULATION GENETICS 2 1
GP 604 INNOVATIVE APPROACHES IN PLANT BREEDING 2 1
GP 605 BREEDING FOR STRESS RESISTANCE 3 0
GP 606 PLANT GENE EXPRESSION AND REGULATION 3 0

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GP 620 APPLIED CYTOGENETICS 3 1
GP 621 BREEDING FOR CROP QUALITY 2 2
GP 640 ADVANCES IN PLANT BREEDING 3 0
GP 691 SEMINAR 1 0
Core Courses
M.Sc.: GP500, GP510, GP520, GP530
Ph.D.: GP550, GP600, GP 604

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 GENETICS
Major Fields : Genetics
Plant Breeding
Minor Fields : Ph.D. student shall take two minors (9 credits of course work in each) from any of
the other fields outside his/her own.
M.Sc. student shall take one minor (9 credits of course work) from any of the other
fields outside his/her own.

DESCRIPTION OF COURSES

PGS 506 HISTORY OF AGRICULTURE (1L+0P) III

Objective
To learn about the evolution and achievements of agricultural science in India, lessons learnt
and vision for future
UNIT I
Agriculture in ancient India: archaeological findings and literature.
UNIT II
Ancient literature on: farm implements, forecast of weather and rains, types of lands, manure,
irrigation, seed and sowing, pests and their management, horticulture and arboriculture, cattle
management etc.
UNIT III
Agricultural research, education and extension in pre-and post-independent India. Green
revolution, success, associated problems, lessons learnt.
UNIT IV
Challenges to Indian agriculture: future needs and capabilities, environmental problems,
international agriculture and partnership. Emerging scenario and expectations.

Suggested Readings
Jain, H.K. 2010. The Green Revolution: History, Impact and Future. Studium Press LLc, Houston
USA, 276 pp.
Saxena, R.C., Choudhary, S.L. and Nene, Y.L. 2009. A Text Book on Ancient History of Indian
Agriculture. Asian Agri-History Foundation, Secundarabad, 148 pp.
Nene, Y.L. (Ed.) 2007. Glimpses of the Agricultural Heritage of India. Asian Agri-History
Foundation, Secundarabad, 912 pp.

AGR 010 ELEMENTS OF GENETICS AND PLANT BREEDING (2L+1P) II

Objective
To provide a basic introduction to Genetics and Plant Breeding to students from a non agriculture
background.

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Theory
UNIT I
History of Genetics and Plant Breeding. Cell and cell division.
UNIT II
Mendelism. Linkage and recombination. Common statistical tools for research.
UNIT III
Role of genetics in crop improvement. Polyploidy and mutation.
UNIT IV
Modes of reproduction. Breeding methods for self-pollinated, cross-pollinated and asexually
reproducing crops. Male sterility and incompatibility. Heterosis and hybrid development.
UNIT V
Breeding for biotic and abiotic stresses. Variety development and seed production.
UNIT VI
Agricultural Biotechnology, Molecular Biology in Crop improvement

Practicals
Parts of Microscope, Basics of mitotic and meiotic slide preparations, Stages of Mitosis, Meiosis,
field visit and study of floral biology, crossing techniques, variability and breeding methods in
different crops - Wheat, Chick pea and Brassica.

Suggested Reading
Snustad, D. P. and Simmons M.J. 2006. Genetics, 4th Ed. John Wiley & Sons.
Blumm, A. 1988. Plant Breeding for Stress Environments. CRC Press Inc., USA.
Chopra, V.L. and Shyam Prakash. 2002. Evolution and adaptation of cereal crops. Oxford and
IBH.

GP 500 PRINCIPLES OF GENETICS (3L+2P) I

Objective
The aim of this course is to understand basic concepts of genetics and to develop analytical,
quantitative and problem-solving skills in classical and molecular genetics.

Theory
UNIT I
History of Genetics; Mitosis & Meiosis, Pre-Mendelian concepts of inheritance, Mendel’s laws;
Discussion of Mendel’s paper; Probability, Chromosomal theory of inheritance. Multiple alleles,
Sex-linkage, Linkage Detection, Linkage estimation by various methods in test crosses,
intercrosses; recombination and genetic mapping in eukaryotes -classical to modern, Somatic
cell genetics.
UNIT II
Structural and numerical changes in chromosomes; Nature, structure and replication of the genetic
material; Organization of DNA in chromosomes, Epigenetics.
Genetic code; Protein biosynthesis,Genetic fine structure analysis, Allelic complementation,
Split genes, Transposable genetic elements, Overlapping genes, Pseudogenes, Gene families and
clusters.

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 UNIT III
Regulation of gene activity in prokaryotes; Molecular mechanisms of mutation, repair and
suppression; Bacterial plasmids, insertion (IS) and transposable (Tn) elements; Gene expression
& regulation in eukaryotes.
UNIT IV
DNA sequencing Gene cloning, genomic and cDNA libraries, PCR-based cloning, Nucleic acid
hybridization and immuno-chemical detection; DNA restriction and modification, Anti-sense
RNA, Gene silencing and ribozymes; Micro-RNAs (miRNAs).
Genomics: Functional, structural & comparative, proteomics,metagenomics
UNIT V
Methods of studying polymorphism; Transgenic bacteria and bioethics; genetics of mitochondria
and chloroplasts, Extra chromosomal inheritance. Eugenics, Genetic Disorders and Behavioural
Genetics
UNIT VI
Population - Mendelian population – Random mating population - Frequencies of genes and
genotypes-Causes of change: Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium.

Practicals
Laboratory exercises in probability and chi-square; Demonstration of genetic principles using
laboratory organisms; Gene mapping using three point test cross; Tetrad analysis; Induction and
detection of mutations, complementation. Study of chromosome aberrations, (deletions, inversion,
translocations ); DNA extraction and PCR amplification - Electrophoresis – basic principles
separation of DNA; Visit to transgenic glasshouse.

Suggested Readings
Gardner, E.J. and Snustad, D.P. 1991. Principles of Genetics. John Wiley & Sons.
Klug, W.S. and Cummings, M.R. 2003. Concepts of Genetics. Peterson Education.
Lewin, B. 2008. Genes IX. Jones & Bartlett Publ.
Russell, P.J. 1998. Genetics. The Benjamin/Cummings Publ. Co.
Strickberger, M.W. 2008. Genetics. Pearson Education.
Tamarin, R.H. 1999. Principles of Genetics. Wm. C. Brown Publs.
Snustad, D.P. and Simmons, M.J. 2006. Genetics, 4th Ed. John Wiley & Sons

GP 510 PRINCIPLES OF CYTOGENETICS (3L+2P) I

Objective
The aim is to provide insight into chromosomes structure and function, mapping, variations in
chromosomal ploidy and structure; its role in crop evolution.

Theory
UNIT I
Chromosome architecture in prokaryotes and eukaryotes; Eukaryotic chromosome structure &
organisation Artificial chromosomes- BACS, YACs, construction and its uses; Special types of
chromosomes.

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 UNIT II
Chromosomal theory of inheritance, Cell Cycle and cell division, mitosis and meiosis, Differences,
significance and deviations – Synapsis, structure and function of synaptonemal complex and
spindle apparatus, anaphase movement of chromosomes and crossing over-mechanisms and
theories of crossing over- recombination models, cytological basis, - Variation in chromosome
structure: evolutionary significance – karyotyping techniques; Chromosome banding and painting
- in situ hybridization and its applications,
UNIT III
Structural and Numerical variations of chromosomes and their implications - Symbols and
terminologies for chromosome numbers - euploidy - haploids, diploids and polyploids; Utilization
of aneuploids in gene location - Variation in chromosome behaviour - somatic segregation and
chimeras – endomitosis and somatic reduction; Evolutionary significance of chromosomal
aberrations - balanced lethals and chromosome complexes
UNIT IV
Inter-varietal chromosome substitutions, Polyploidy and role of polyploids in crop breeding;
Evolutionary advantages of autopolyploids vs allopolyploids –- Role of aneuploids in basic and
applied aspects of crop breeding; their maintenance and utilization in gene mapping and gene
blocks transfer – Alien addition and substitution lines – creation and utilization; Apomixis:
Evolutionary and genetic disadvantage.
UNIT V
Reversion of autopolyploids to diploids; genome mapping in polyploids - Interspecific
hybridization and allopolyploids; Synthesis of new crops (wheat, triticale and brassica) – Hybrids
between species with same chromosome number, alien translocations - Hybrids between species
with different chromosome number; Gene transfer using amphidiploids - Bridge species
UNIT VI
Fertilization barriers in crop plants at pre-and postfertilization levels- In vitro techniques to
overcome the fertilization barriers in crops, Chromosome manipulations in wide hybridization;
case studies – Production and use of haploids, dihaploids and doubled haploids in genetics and
breeding;

Practicals
Preparation of tissues for cytogenetical analyses (Fixatives, fixation, dehydration, embedding,
staining, cleaning etc.) - Microscopy: various types of microscopes, Mitosis in wheat, pearl
millet,onion, Aloe vera, oilseeds, forage crops and pulses, Measuring pollen grain size in various
crops with micrometer, Methods of preparing permanent slides, Pollen germination in vivo and
in vitro, Identification of polyploids in different crops, Morphological observations on
autopolyploids and alloployploids - Morphological observations on aneuploids, Cytogenetic
analysis of interspecific and intergeneric crosses, Maintenance of Cytogenetic stocks and their
importance in crop breeding;Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH), Genome in situ hybridization
GISH.

Suggested Readings
Becker, Kleinsmith and Hardin. 2004. The World of Cell. 5th edition. Pearson Education.
Carroll, M. 1989. Organelles. The Guilford Press, New York.
Charles, Burnham. 1993. Discussions in Cytogenetics. Prentice Hall Publications, London
Darlington, C.D. and L.F. La Cour. 1969. The handling of chromosomes. Georger Allen and
Unwin Ltd.

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 Elgin, S.C.R. 1995. Chromatin Structure and Gene Expression. IRL Press, Oxford. 224p
Gupta, P.K. and Tsuchiya, T. 1991. Chromosome Engineering in Plants. Part A. Elsevier.
Gupta, P.K. 2000. Cytogenetics. Rastogi Publications
Johannson, D.A. 1975. Plant Microtechnique. Mc Graw Hill Co, New York.
Karp, G. 1996. Cell and Molecular Biology: Concepts and Experiments. John-Wiley & Sons,
Inc., 773p.
Khush, G.S. and Rick R. 1981. Cytogenetics of Aneuploids, Academic Press.
Sharma, A.K. and Sharma, A. 1988. Chromosome techniques: Theory and practice, Butterworth,
London.
Sumner, A.T. 1982. Chromosome banding. Unwin Hyman Publishers, London.

GP 520 ELEMENTS OF PLANT BREEDING (3L+2P) II

Objectives
To impart theoretical knowledge and practical skills about plant breeding objectives, modes of
reproduction and genetic consequences, breeding methods for crop improvement.

Theory
UNIT I
History of Plant Breeding (Pre and post Mendelian era), Objectives of plant breeding,
Characteristics improved by plant breeding. - Centres of Origin-biodiversity and its significance
UNIT II
Genetic basis of breeding self- and cross - pollinated crops, nature of variability, components of
variation, heritability and genetic advance, genotype-environment interaction, general and specific
combining ability, types of gene actions and implications in plant breeding; plant introduction
and role of plant genetic resources in plant breeding. Self-incompatibility and male sterility in
crop plants and their commercial exploitation.
UNIT III
Breeding self pollinated crops, Pure line theory; pure line selection and mass selection methods,
line breeding, pedigree, bulk, backcross, single seed descent and multiline method.
UNIT IV
Breeding methods in cross pollinated crops, population breeding-mass selection and ear-to-row
methods; S1 and S2 progeny testing, progeny selection schemes, recurrent selection schemes for
intra and inter-population improvement and development of synthetics and composites.
UNIT V
Breeding methods in asexually/clonally propagated crops, clonal selection.
Self-incompatibility and male sterility in crop plants and their commercial exploitation; concept
of plant ideotype and its role in crop improvement. Special breeding techniques- Mutation
breeding,polyploids.
Hybrid breeding - genetical and physiological basis of heterosis and inbreeding, production of
inbreds, breeding approaches for improvement of inbreds, predicting hybrid performance; seed
production of hybrid and their parent varieties/inbreds.
UNIT VI
Cultivar development- testing, release and notification, maintenance breeding, Participatory Plant
Breeding, Plant breeders’ rights and regulations for plant variety protection and farmers rights,DUS

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 testing, Quality seeds-types and production. Parent selection. Combining ability and type of
crosses. Biotechnology in crop improvement-An overview. Transgenic crops- current status and
future prospects, integration of transgenics into breeding programmes.
Molecular breeding-molecular markers (isozymes, RFLP, RAPD AFLP), mapping populations
(RILs, NILs, DH, Backross), their merits and demerits, markers assisted selection

Practicals
Floral biology in self and cross pollinated species, selfing and crossing techniques. Selection
methods in segregating populations and evaluation of breeding material. Analysis of variance
(ANOVA). Estimation of heritability and genetic advance, maintenance of experimental records.
Learning techniques in hybrid seed production using male-sterility in field crops.

Suggested Readings
Allard, R.W. 1981. Principles of Plant Breeding, John Wiley & Sons.
Chopra, V.L. 2001. Breeding Field Crops. Oxford & IBH.
Chopra, V.L. 2004. Plant Breeding. Oxford & IBH.
Roy, Darbeshwar. 2003. Plant Breeding, Analysis and Exploitation of Variation. Narosa Publ. House.
Poehlman, J.M. and Borthakur, D.N. 1972. Breeding Asian Field Crops. Oxford & IBH.
Sharma, J.R. 2001. Principles and Practice of Plant Breeding. Tata McGraw-Hill.
Simmonds, N.W. 1990. Principles of Crop Improvement. English Language Book Society.
Singh, B.D. 2006. Plant Breeding. Kalyani.

GP 521 BREEDING FIELD CROPS-I (2L+1P) I

Objectives
To provide insight into recent advances in improvement of cereals, pulses, oilseeds and fiber
crop grown during Kharif Season using conventional and modern biotechnological approaches

Theory
UNIT I CEREALS
Rice: evolution and distribution of species and forms - wild relatives and germplasm – cytogenetics
and genome relationship - breeding objectives: yield, quality characters, biotic and abiotic stress
resistance, exploitation of heterosis and hybrid development: Breeding approaches-conventional
and non conventional including MAS, emerging challenges at national and international level,
Maintenance breeding, coordinated system of testing.
Maize: evolution and distribution of species and forms - wild relatives and germplasm -
cytogenetics and genome relationship - breeding objectives: yield, quality characters, biotic and
abiotic stress resistance/tolerance - Heterosis breeding, Breeding approaches –conventional and
non conventional including MAS, Emerging challenges at national and international level.
Pearl millet: evolution and distribution of species and forms - wild relatives and germplasm -
cytogenetics and genome relationship: breeding objectives: yield, quality characters, biotic and
abiotic stress resistance/tolerance, exploitation of heterosis and hybrid development; Breeding
approaches-conventional and non conventional including MAS, emerging challenges at national
and international level.

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 Sorghum: evolution and distribution of species and forms - wild relatives and germplasm -
cytogenetics and genome relationship: breeding objectives: yield, quality characters, biotic and
abiotic stress resistance, exploitation of heterosis and hybrid development; Breeding approaches-
conventional and non conventional including MAS, emerging challenges at national and
international level.
UNIT II PULSES
Pigenopea: Evolution and distribution of species and forms - wild relatives and germplasm -
cytogenetics and genome relationship, breeding objectives: yield, quality characters, biotic and
abiotic stress etc. Protein quality improvement – conventional and modern plant breeding
approaches conventional and non conventional including MAS, progress made - Breeding for
anti nutritional factors; Progress in hybrid development, emerging challenges at national and
international level.
Urd bean: evolution, cytogenetics and genome relationship, - breeding objectives: yield, quality
characters, biotic and abiotic stress, Breeding approaches-conventional and non conventional
including MAS, - interspecific crosses attempted and its implications, reasons for failure, ways
of overcoming them – emerging challenges at national and international level.
Moong bean: evolution, cytogenetics and genome relationship, - breeding objectives: yield, quality
characters, biotic and abiotic stress, Breeding approaches-conventional and non conventional
including MAS, - interspecific crosses attempted and its implications, reasons for failure, ways
of overcoming them – emerging challenges at national and international level.
UNIT III OILSEEDS
Soybean: evolution and distribution of species and forms wild relatives and germplasm - genetics
- cytogenetics and genome relationship; breeding objectives, utilization of wild relatives for yield
and quality improvement, biotic and abiotic stress, Breeding approaches conventional and non
conventional including MAS - Oil quality – characteristics in different oils emerging challenges
at national and international level.
UNIT IV: FIBRE CROP
Cotton: evolution, breeding objectives: yield, quality characters, biotic and abiotic stress
etc,Breeding,development and maintenance of male sterile lines, Hybrid development and seed
production – Scenario of Bt cottons, evaluation procedures for Bt cotton.
UNIT V
Distinguishing features of popular released varieties in – Rice, maize, pearl millet, sorghum,
pigeonpea, urd bean, moong bean, cotton and their application to DUS testing - Maintenance of
seed purity - Nucleus and Breeder Seed Production.Maintenance Breeding and All India Co-
ordinated System of testing and release of crop varieties and hybrids.

Practicals
Floral biology – emasculation - pollination techniques; Study of variation for yield and yield
components - Trait based screening for stress resistance in important crops– Use of descriptors
for cataloguing Germplasm maintenance; Using Standard Evaluation System (SES) and descriptors,
Field and lab visit of the concerned crops

Suggested Readings
Agarwal, R.L. 1996. Identifying Characteristics of Crop Varieties. Oxford & IBH Publishing Co
Pvt Ltd.
Bahl, P.N. and Salimath, P.M. 1996. Genetics, Cytogenetics and Breeding of Crop Plants. Vol 1
Pulses and Oilseeds. Oxford & IBH Publsihing Co Pvt Ltd, New Delhi.

447
 Chandraratna, M.F. 1964. Genetics and Breeding of Rice. Longmans. 389p.
Chopra, V.L. and Shyam Prakash. 2002. Evolution and adaptation of cereal crops. Oxford and
IBH
Gill, K.S. 1991. Pearl Millet and its Improvement. Indian Council of Agricultural Research,
New Delhi.
IRRI. 1964. Rice Genetics and Cytogenetics. Elsevier Publishing Company. Amsterdam.
IRRI. 1996. Rice Genetics III. Proceedings of the International Rice Genetics Symposium. IRRI,
Philippines.
IRRI. 2000. Rice Genetics IV. Proceedings of the International Rice Genetics Symposium,
Philippines.
Jennings, P.R., Coffman, W.R. and Kauffman, H.E. 1979. Rice Improvement. IRRI, Philippines.
186p.
Murty, D.S., Tabo, R. and Ajayi, O. 1994. Sorghum Hybrid Seed Production and Management.
ICRISAT, Patancheru
Nanda, J.S. 1997. Manual on Rice Breeding, Kalyani Publishers, Ludhiana. 120p.
Ram, H.H. and Singh, H.G. 1993. Crop Breeding and Genetics. Kalyani Publishers, Ludhiana.
Singh, H.G., Mishra, S.N., Singh, T.B., Ram, H.H. and Singh, D.P. (Eds). 1994. Crop Breeding in
India. International Book Distributing Co. Chandigarh.
Slafer GA. (Ed). 1994. Genetic Improvement of Field Crops. Marcel Dekker Inc.
Walden DB. 1978. Maize Breeding and Genetics. John Wiley and Sons, New York.

GP 522 BREEDING FIELD CROPS-II (2L+1P) II

Objectives
To provide insight into recent advances in improvement of cereals, Pulses, Oilseeds and forage
crops grown during Rabi Season using conventional and modern biotechnological approaches

Theory
UNIT I CEREALS
Wheat: evolution and distribution of species and forms - wild relatives and germplasm –
cytogenetics and genome relationship - breeding objectives: yield, quality characters, biotic and
abiotic stress resistance, exploitation of heterosis etc Breeding approaches-conventional and non
conventional including MAS, emerging challenges at national and international level.
Barley: evolution and distribution of species and forms - wild relatives and germplasm –
cytogenetics breeding objectives: yield, quality characters, biotic and abiotic stress resistance,
Breeding approache –conventional and non conventional including MAS, Breeding for malt barley;
emerging challenges at national and international level.
UNIT II PULSES
Chickpea: Evolution and distribution of species and forms - wild relatives and germplasm -
cytogenetics and genome relationship, breeding objectives: yield, quality characters, biotic and
abiotic stress etc. Protein quality improvement – conventional and modern plant breeding
approaches conventional and non conventional including MAS, progress made - Breeding for
anti nutritional factors; emerging challenges at national and international level.

448
 Lentil: evolution, cytogenetics and genome relationship, - breeding objectives: yield, quality
characters, biotic and abiotic stress etc, Breeding approaches-conventional and non conventional
including MAS, - interspecific crosses –problems, prospects and implications, emerging challenges
at national and international level.
Fieldpea evolution, cytogenetics and genome relationship, - breeding objectives: yield, quality
characters, biotic and abiotic stress, Breeding approaches-conventional and non conventional
including MAS, - interspecific crosses problems, prospects and implications,emerging challenges
at national and international level.
Rajmash: evolution, cytogenetics and genome relationship, - breeding objectives: yield, quality
characters, biotic and abiotic stress etc, Breeding approaches-conventional and non conventional
including MAS, - interspecific crosses problems, prospects and implications,emerging challenges
at national and international level.
UNIT III OILSEEDS
Rapeseed and Mustard: evolution and distribution of species and forms wild relatives and
germplasm - genetics - cytogenetics and genome relationship; breeding objectives, utilization of
wild relatives for yield and quality improvement, biotic and abiotic stress etc. Breeding approaches
conventional and non conventional including MAS, emerging challenges at national and
international level.Utilisation of wild relatives for yield and quality improvement.
UNIT VI
Distinguishing features of popular released varieties in - Wheat, barley, lentil, chickpea, fieldpea,
rajmash, mustard and toria and their application to DUS testing - Maintenance of seed purity -
Nucleus and Breeder Seed Production; Maintenance Breeding and All India Co-ordinated system
of testing and release of crop varieties and hybrids.

Practicals
Floral biology – emasculation and pollination techniques; Study of range of variation for yield
and yield components - Trait based screening for stress resistance in crops of importance– Use
of descriptors for cataloguing Germplasm maintenanceUsing Standard Evaluation System (SES)
and descriptors, Field and lab visit of the concerned crops

GP 530 QUANTITATIVE GENETICS (4L+1P) I

Objective
To impart theoretical knowledge and computation skills regarding component of variation and
variances, scales, mating designs and gene effects.

Theory
UNIT I
Probability and its application in genetic analyses; Random variables and Probability distributions.
UNIT II
Genotypic and Phenotypic variation. Genetic component analyses; Partitioning of main effects
and variances – ANOVA-MANOVA.
UNIT III
General concepts of gene action – single and multigene models –genetical parameters and their
estimations.

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 Heritability & components of gene action. Linkage & Linkage Disequilibrium. Inbreeding and
covariance between relatives.
UNIT IV
Mating systems and designs; Combining ability – effects and variance; Genetic divergence.
Heterosis; Populations- concepts and their improvement approaches.

Practicals
Problems on multiple factors inheritance - Partitioning of variance -Estimation of heritability
and genetic advance - Covariance analysis - D2 analysis - Grouping of clusters and interpretation
- Cluster analysis - Construction of cluster diagrams and dendrograms - interpretation - Diallel
analysis: Hayman’s graphical approach - Diallel analysis: interpretation of results - NCD and
their interpretations - Line x tester analysis and interpretation of results - Estimation of heterosis:
standard, mid-parental and better-parental heterosis - Estimation of inbreeding depression -
Generation mean analysis: Analytical part and Interpretation – Estimation of different types of
gene actions. Partitioning of phenotypic variance and co-variance into components due to
genotypes, environment and genotype x environment interactions.

Suggested Readings
Bos, I. and Caligari, P. 1995. Selection Methods in Plant Breeding. Chapman & Hall.
Falconer, D.S. and Mackay, J. 1998. Introduction to Quantitative Genetics. Longman.
Mather, K. and Jinks, J.L. 1971. Biometrical Genetics. Chapman & Hall.
Mather, K. and Jinks, J.L. 1983. Introduction to Biometrical Genetics. Chapman & Hall.
Nadarajan, N. and Gunasekaran, M. 2005. Quantitative Genetics and Biometrical Techniques in
Plant Breeding. Kalyani.
Naryanan, S.S. and Singh, P. 2007. Biometrical Techniques in Plant Breeding. Kalyani.
Singh, P. and Narayanan, S.S. 1993. Biometrical Techniques in Plant Breeding. Kalyani.
Singh, R.K. and Choudhary, B.D. 1987. Biometrical Methods in Quantitative Genetics. Kalyani.
Weir, D.S. 1990. Genetic Data Analysis. Methods for Discrete Population Genetic Data. Sinauer
Associates.
Wricke, G. and Weber, W.E. 1986. Quantitative Genetics and Selection in Plant Breeding. Walter
de Gruyter.

GP 540 INTRODUCTION TO BIOINFORMATICS (3L+1P) I

Objective
To introduce basic concepts of bioinformatics

Theory
UNIT I
History and development of concept of bioinformatics; overview of protein and DNA sequences;
sequences databases, retrieval and analysis; methods of sequence alignment - local, global pair
wise and multiple alignment; Collection and storage of sequences in the laboratory: DNA
sequencing; genomic sequencing; cDNA libraries and sequencing cDNA; processing and

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 submission of sequences; computer storage; sequence formats- Gen Bank, EMBL, NCBI, Stanford
University, etc.
UNIT II
Introduction to database management and DBMS. Introduction to Perl and Bioperl.
UNIT III
Phylogenetic prediction: Phylogeny and sequence variations; concept of evolutionary trees;
methods in phylogeny-maximum parsimony, distance methods, maximum likelihood, reliability
of prediction.
UNIT IV
Gene prediction: Gene structure and characteristics; ORF; methods for microbial and Eukaryotic
gene predictions. Internet Resources.
UNIT V
Genome analysis: Genome structure and organization-Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes; sequence
assembly and gene identification; methods - comparative genomics, proteomics; synteny,
functional genomics.

Practicals
Sequence searching and alignment, writing programs in Perl for bioinformatics applications,
Phylogenetic prediction, gene prediction

Suggested Readings
Baxevanis, A.D. and Ouellette, B.F.F. 2001. Bioinformatics: A practical guide to the analysis of
genes and proteins. Wiley Interscience. New York. USA.
Mount, D.W. 2001. Bioinformatics. Sequence and Genome Analysis. Cold Spring Harbor
Laboratory Press. New York. USA.
Tisdall James. 2002. Beginning Perl for Bioinformatics. O’ Reilly publication
Web based Public databases and softwares

GP 550 FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPTS OF PLANT BREEDING (3L+2P) I

Objectives
To learn principles of Mendelian and quantitative genetics and it’s applications in practical plant
breeding.

Theory
UNIT I
Variability -phenotypic, genetic and environmental and their role in breeding, adaptation and
evolution.
UNIT II
Concepts of quantitative traits and Mendalian genetics and their molecular basis; Nature of
quantitative traits and their inheritance - Multiple factor hypothesis - analysis of continuous
variation - Variations associated with polygenic traits - phenotypic, genotypic and environmental
- non-allelic interactions; Resemblance between relatives; Heritability; Estimation of variance
components-additive and dominance variances, combining ability-GCA, SCA effects.

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 UNIT III
Mating designs, examples from crops to illustrate inferences drawn for plant breeding decisions.
Generation mean analysis, mating designs- Diallel, Partial Diallel, Line x tester analysis, NCDs
and TTC,
UNIT IV
Genetic diversity analysis; phenotypic and genotypic correlations, Path analysis; Heterosis-
relationship between Heterosis and genetic diversity. Concepts of combining ability and gene
action–- Inbreeding and cross breeding: changes of mean and variance and applications.
UNIT V
Simple concepts of selection, selection - heritability and genetic advance; various selection methods
through specific examples from various crops. Response to selection, the speed of advance
under selection, correlated response under selection, Selection for multiple characters, Tandem
selection, Selection index. Basic concepts of Marker assisted selection.
UNIT VI
G x E interactions- principle and interpretation -various methods of their estimation with illustrative
examples from crop plants. Analysis of genotype x environment interaction - adaptability and
stability,

Practicals
Problems on multiple factors inheritance - Partitioning of variance - Estimation of heritability
and genetic advance Cluster analysis; Correlation and Path analysis - Diallel analysis: Griffin’s
method II & HAYMAN’s graphical approach; NCD and Line x tester analysis; Generation mean
analysis; Partitioning of phenotypic variance and co-variance into components due to genotypes,
environment and genotype x environment interactions. Practical on G x E interaction.

Suggested Readings
Bos, I. and Caligari, P. 1995. Selection methods in Plant Breeding. Chapman and Hall, London.
Dabholkar, A.R.1992. Elements of Biometrical Genetics. Concept Publishing Company, New
Delhi.
Falconer, D.S. 1998. Introduction to Quantitative Genetics, Longman, London
Kang, Manjit S. 2002. Quantitative Genetics, Genomics & Plant Breeding. CABI Publishing.
Mather, K. and Jinks, J.L. 1971. Biometrical Genetics. Chapman and Hall. London.
Mather, K. and Jinks, L. 1983. Introduction to Biometrical Genetics. Chapman and Hall, London
Singh, R.K. and Choudhary, B.D. 1987. Biometrical methods in Quantitative Genetics. Kalyani
Publishers.
Weir, D.S. 1990. Genetic Data Analysis. Methods for discrete population genetic data. Sinauer
Associates, Wricke G and W E. Weber. 1986. Quantitative Genetics and Selection in Plant
Breeding. Walter de Gruyter.

GP 600 DEVELOPMENT OF GENE CONCEPT (4L+0P) II

Objectives
To give insight in to the dynamic concept of gene, its structure, function and regulation of
expression in prokaryotes and eukaryotes

452
Theory
UNIT I
Pre-Mendelian concepts of gene: physical basis of heredity; Gene concept in classical genetics:
Mendelian concepts of inheritance, gene interactions, recombination and linkage in lower and
higher organisms, crisscross inheritance, gene mapping; Intra- and inter-genic complementation:
complementation as test of allelism, complex loci, pseudoalleles.
UNIT II
Evolving concept of gene: Genetic control of metabolism, Garrod’s principle, Beadle and Tatums
experiments; fine structure of gene- Beads-on-string, recombination within gene, between adjacent
nucleotide, co-linearity principle: homoalleles and heteroalleles; genetic definition of gene-
complementation test as an operational definition, intragenic complementation, rII locus of
bacteriophage T4, deletion mapping, gene-within-gene, overlapping gene, gene-protein relationship.
UNIT III
Chemical nature of gene: structure and properties of DNA and RNA; DNA, RNA and Prion as
genetic material; Replication of genetic material in prokaryotes and eukaryotes; Transfer of
genetic information: Central dogma of molecular biology,transcription and translation in
prokaryotes and eukaryotes; reverse transcription,multiple factor hypothesis and quantitative
traits, genetic code: deciphering and analysis of genetic code, nature and properties of genetic
code, one code-two amino acids; Mutation: nature and molecular mechanism of mutation, intra-
and inter-genic mutation suppression.
UNIT IV
Regulation of gene expression in prokaryotes: inducible and repressible system, operon concept,
attenuation, feedback inhibition; Regulation of gene expression in eukaryotes: level of gene
regulation, gene activation through promoter-binding and enhancer-binding protein interaction,
transcription regulation, post-transcriptional modifications including RNA processing, RNA
editing, post-translational modifications; ncRNA,miRNA, siRNA, significance and ncRNA
mediated regulation of gene expression, gene silencing, riboswitches.
UNIT V
Nuclear architecture and gene expression: nuclear compartments, chromatin domains, non-random
nuclear architecture; Genetic basis of antibody diversity; alternate splicing; split gene: properties
and evolution, Extra-chromosomal genes; Mobile genetic elements; Genetic regulation of virus,
viroids, virusoids and prions; Genome complexity: C-value paradox, gene cluster, gene families.
UNIT VI
Genes in population: Hardy- Weinberg law, molecular evolution, linkage disequilibrium.

Suggested Readings
Gardner, M.J., Simmons, D.P. Snustad 2008. Principles of Genetics, 5th Edition. JohnWiley and
Sons.
Lewin, B. 2008. Genes IX. Jones & Bartlett
Watson, J.D., et al. 2004. Molecular Biology of the gene. Pearson Education

GP 602 MUTAGENESIS (3L+2P) III

Objectives
To provide insight into mutations, mutagens & their mode of action,effects, screening and their
utility and application in crop improvement.

453
Theory
UNIT I
History of mutation and experimental mutagenesis- nature and classification of mutations:
spontaneous mutations and induced mutations, micro and macro mutations, forward and reverse
mutations,role of mutation in evolution, multi gene families.
UNIT II
Mutagens: Physical mutagens: properties and effect of ionizing radiations, RBE and LET, direct
and indirect effects; Chemical mutagens- nature of action, classification, comparative evaluation
of physical and chemical mutagens; Transposons as mutagens.
UNIT III
Application methodology of mutagens and modification of their action in cell; Mutation repair;
Mutagenic effectiveness and efficiency: Estimation and implications in mutation breeding,
biological and environmental parameters influencing mutagenic efficiency. Genetic sieves in
mutation induction. Screening techniques and selection procedures of induced mutations; test
systems in M1 and subsequent generations.
UNIT IV
Crop improvement through induced mutagenesis; targeted gene replacement; gene silencing.
Somaclonal variations. In vitro mutagenesis. Mutation in the organellar genome.
UNIT V
Use of mutagens in genomics, TILLING and Eco TILLING: Use of specific chemical mutagens
in creating lesions associated with physical changes in the nucleotide sequence of DNA and
analysis of popymorphism for detection of SNPs, functional alleles etc.
UNIT VI
Mutation breeding in animals and microorganisms- scope and achievements. Mutational
reconstruction of crop ideotype. Mutagens as carcinostatic agents. Environmental mutagenesis-
bacteria, mammalian cell cultures, Drosophila; transgenics as environmental mutagen monitors.
Comparative assessment of various types of mutations.

Practicals
Precautions of handling mutagens; Dosimetry - Studies of mutagenic agents: Radiation hazards-
safety regulations and safe transportation, use and disposal of radioisotopes, gamma chamber,
treating seeds with gamma rays, Chemical mutagens- learning hazards due to chemical mutagens
- Treating plant propagules with physical and chemical mutagens - combined mutagenic treatments
in M1 and subsequent generations in different crops – cereal, pulses, oilseeds, vegetatively
propagated crops.

Suggested Readings
International Atomic Energey Agency, 1970. Manual on Mutation Breeding. IAEA, Vienna,
Alper, T. 1979. Cellular Radiobiology. Cambridge University Press, London.
Chadwick, K.H. and Leenhouts, H.P. 1981. The Molecular theory of Radiation Biology. Springer-
Verlag, New York.
Strickberger. 1996. Genetics. Prentice Hall Publications
Mutation detection: a practical approach. 2000. Cotton, R.G.H., E. Edkin and S. Forrest

454
GP 603 POPULATION GENETICS (2L+1P) III

Objective
To study the genetic properties of populations and the effect of various evolutionary forces on
population genetic parameters.
UNIT -I
Introduction to population genetics; Review of math and probability theory; Measures of genetic
variation and genetic distance
UNIT II
Genetic constitution of a population – frequencies of genes and genotypes, Hardy-Weinberg
Equilibrium, two alleles, multiple alleles, linkage and sex linked inheritance, HWE testing
UNIT III
Changes of gene frequency under selection, mutation and migration: basic selection model,
gametic selection, selection against recessives, dominants and heterozygotes; Allele frequency
change caused by mutation, forward and backward mutation, fate of a single mutation, mutation-
selection balance; Gene flow and population structure, Continent-Island and general model,
Wahlund’s principle, F coefficients.
UNIT IV
Genes in small populations: Genetic drift, inbreeding and effective population size, Founder
Effect and Bottlenecks
UNIT V
Linkage Disequilibrium and Association Genetics, Nested Association Mapping (NAM)

Practicals
Exercises on probability, calculation of genes and genotypic frequencies, testing of HWE,
estimation of allele frequencies under forces of selection, mutation and migration. Inbreeding
coefficient and estimation of linkage disequilibrium.

Suggested Readings
Falconer and Mackay.1996. Introduction to Quantitative Genetics. 4th edition, Longman.
Hartl and Clark, 2007. Principles of Population Genetics, Fourth Edition
Li, C.C. 1955. Population Genetics. The Univ. of Chicago Press.
Philip W Hedrick. 2005. Genetics of populations. Jones and Bartlett publishers, Inc

GP 604 INNOVATIVE APPROACHES IN PLANT BREEDING (2L+0P) III

Objective
To familiarize students with the latest in plant breeding approaches.

Theory
UNIT I
Introduction, Markers: morphological, isozymes, DNA markers (RFLP, RAPD, AFLP, SSR,
SNP). Construction of linkage map; use of mapping populations (F2, RILs, NILs, back cross,
doubled haploids)-applications, advantages, constraints.

455
 UNIT II
Applications of molecular markers-fingerprinting, phylogenetic relationships. Tagging
agronomically important traits. Assessing heterotic performance; Marker assisted selection (MAS)
for oligogenic traits, MAS for QTLs. Gene pyramiding using molecular markers.
UNIT III
Transgenic plants-applications of transgenic technology, molecular farming, antisense RNA
technology examples from published literature (crop quality, herbicide resistance, insect resistance,
disease resistance, viral resistance)-organelle transformation, stability of transgenes, integration
of transgenics in plant breeding.
UNIT IV
Biosafety issues of transgenics. Somatic hybridization applications and constraints. Somaclonal
variation in crop improvement-overview and future prospects,
UNIT V
Plant genetic resources- characterization and utilization. Breeding for biotic stress resistance,
abiotic stress tolerance and nutritional quality. Apomixis and its utilization.
UNIT VI
Functional markers, Reverse genetics approaches: Targeting Induced Local Lesions IN Genomes
(TILLING), ECOTILLING and its application in crop breeding, Allele mining, Genome assisted
breeding, Metabolomics assisted breeding, Overcoming domestication bottlenecks using
molecular tools.

Suggested Readings
Caetano-Anolles,G. and Gresshoff, P.M. 1998. DNA Markers: Protocols, Applications and
Overviews. Wiley.
Gupta, P.K. 2010 Plant Biotechnoloy. Rastogi Publications.
Jain, C.M. and Brar, D.S. 2010. Molecular Techniques in Crop Improvemoent 2nd ed. Springer
Jordan, B.R. 2001. DNA Microarrays: Gene Expression Applications.Springer-Verlag.
Kole, C. and Abbott, A.G.2008. Priniciples and Practices of Plant Genomics. Volume I Genome
Mapping.; Volume II: Molecular Breeeding.Science Publishers.
Liu, B.H. 1997. Statistical Genomics: Linkage, Mapping and QTL Analysis.CRS Press.
Lynch, M. and Walsh, B. 1998. Genetics and Analysis of Quantitative Traits.Sinauer Associates.
Mount, D.W. 2001. Bioinformatics. Sequence and Genome Analysis. CSHL Press.
Paterson, A.H. 1996. Genome Mapping in Plants. Academic Press.
Sharma, T.R. 2009. Genome Analysis and Bioinformatics-A pratical Approch. IK International,
New Delhi.
Rao, D.C and Province, M.A. 2001. Genetic Dissection of Complex Traits. Academic Press.
Yunbi, Xu. 2010. Molecular Plant Breeding. CABI

GP 605 BREEDING FOR STRESS RESISTANCE (3L+0P) III

UNIT I
Nomenclature and classification of stresses. Nature and importance of viral, bacterial, fungal
and other diseases, insect pests. Genetic, physiological and molecular mechanisms of disease
and insect pest resistance.

456
 UNIT II
Host-parasite interaction-variation in pathogen and host, factors affecting host reactions, gene-
for-gene concept, implications and significance in plant breeding.
UNIT III
Identification of pathogen variation, multipathotype testing, gene postulation using infection
type data. Creation of artificial epiphytotics, screening techniques for breeding materials. Sources
of resistance, shuttle breeding, stability of resistance, gene deployment over time and space-
resistance. Concepts of varietal blends, mixtures and multilines for disease resistance.
UNIT IV
Marker aided selection. Introgression of genes from the wild relatives of crop plants, pyramiding
of resistance genes, elimination of linkage drag. Transgenics in the management of biotic stresses.
Use of Bt toxins, rotease inhibitors, electins, chitinases and glucanases for insect pest management.
UNIT V
Importance and crop specificity of stresses due to temperature, drought, salinity, alkalinity,
Aluminium toxicity, water logging and excessive rains.
Genetic and physiological mechanisms governing abiotic stress resistance. Breeding procedures
for abiotic stress resistance in selected and important crop plants. Achievements in breeding
crop plants for abiotic stress resistance.

Suggested Readings
Fritz, R.S. and Simms, E.L. (Eds). 1992. Plant resistance to herbivores and pathogens: Ecology,
evolution and genetics. The University of Chicago Press. Chicago.
Russel, G.E. 1978. Plant breeding for pest and disease resistance. Butterworths. London.
van der Plank, J.E. 1982. Host -pathogen interactions in plant disease. Academic Press, London.
Blumm, A. 1988. Plant Breeding for Stress Environments. CRC Press Inc., USA.
Christiansen, M.N. and Lewis, C.F. 1982. Breeding plants for less favourable environments.
Wiley International science, New York.
Turener, N.C. and Kramer, P.J. 1980. Adaptation of plants to water and high temperature stress.
Jon Wiley & Sons, New York.

GP 606 PLANT GENE EXPRESSION AND REGULATION (3L+0P) III

Objective
To provide insight into recent advances in the phenomenon of gene regulation and mechanisms
by which plants and microbes express different traits and how these are modified during different
stages.

Theory
UNIT I
Gene regulation-purpose; Process and mechanisms in prokaryotes and eukaryotes; Levels of
gene controls.
UNIT II
Coordinated genetic regulation-examples- Anthocyanin gene family in maize; Genetic and
molecular basis of tissue specificity.

457
 UNIT III
Gene expression-Transposons in plant gene expression, cloning-transposon tagging; Light regulated
gene expression-model systems in Arabidopsis and maize; Paramutations and imprinting of
genes and genomes.
UNIT IV
Transgene expression and gene silencing mechanisms; Regulatory genes, horizontal and vertical
homology; Transformation-regulatory genes as visible markers; Reporter systems to study gene
expression; Combinatorial gene control.
UNIT V
Eukaryotic transcriptional control; Translational and post-translational regulation; Signal
transduction; Stress-induced gene expression; Gene traps and enhancer traps.

Suggested Readings
Lewin, B. 2008. Genes IX. John Wiley & Sons.
Schleif, R.1986. Genetics and Molecular Biology. Addison-Wesley.
Russell, P.J. 1996. Essential Genetics. Blackwell Scientific Publ.
Brown, T.A. 2002. Genomes. Bios Scientific Publ.
Tamarin, R.H. 1999. Principles of Genetics. Wm C Brown Publ.
Griffiths, A.J.F. 2000. An Introduction to Genetic Analysis. WH Freeman.
Hexter, W. and Yost, H.T. 1976. The Science of Genetics. Prentice Hall.
Singer, M. and Berg, P. 1991. Genes and Genomes. John Wiley & Son
Hartl, D.L. and Jones, E.W. 1998. Genetics Principles and Analysis. Jones &Barlett Publ.
Micklos, D.A. and Freyer, G. 2003. DNA Science - A First Course. C.P.L. Scientific Publ.
Brooker, R.J. 2004. Genetics Analysis and Principles. Addison-WesleyLongman.
Watson, J.D. 2004. Molecular Bilology of the Gene. Pearson Edu.

GP 607/ PGR 607 REGULATORY MECHANISMS AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

RIGHTS AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS (3L+0P) I

Objectives
To educate students about concepts and instruments of intellectual property rights, plant breeders’s
rights, farmer’s rights, access and benefit sharing, international treaties and national legislation
related to plant genetic resources.

Theory
UNIT I
Concept of intellectual property, need for IP protection, Dimensions and nature of IPR, conflicting
community interest with private right. Forms of IPR, patents, copyright, trademark, design,
trade secret/ confidential information, GI registration. Process of obtaining an IPR, World
Intellectual Property Organization, patent cooperation treaty (PCI).
UNIT II
Plant breeder’s rights, protection of plant varieties, UPOV; registration of plant varieties and
essentially derived varieties, during and effect of registration; traditional knowledge systems,

458
 farmer’s rights, fork lore, code of conduct, access and benefit sharing; compulsory license; plant
varieties protection appellate tribunal; finance, accounts and audit; infringement, offenses, penalties
and procedure.
UNIT III
International instruments concerning agro-biodiversity, Agenda 21, convention on biological
diversity (CBD), FAO and global system of PGR, the International Treaty on Plant Genetic
Resources for food and agriculture (ITPGR), Global Plan of Action, TRIPS agreement and IPR
protection of life forms, geographical appellations.
UNIT IV
Multilateral agreement on trade in goods – relevance to agriculture, agreement on agriculture
(AOA); agreement on application of sanitary and phyto-sanitary measures (SPS, international
plant protection convention, agreement on technical barriers to trade (TBT), Plant quarantine,
bio-safety related issues.
UNIT V
National legislations related to biodiversity conservation and IPR protection

Suggested Readings
Valuation and Conservation of Biodiversity; Interdisciplinary Perspectives on the Convention
on Biological Diversity by Michael Markussen et al. Springer 2005.
Use of Biodiversity: Access to Genetic Resources and Benefit Sharing by Kerry Ten Kate and
Sarah A Lai4rd; Earthscan 2002.
Providing Protection For Plant Genetic Resources: Patents, Sui Generis Systems And
Biopartnerships; Publisher: Kluwer Academic Press, ISBN : 9041188754; Distributer :
Landmark Ltd.

GP 610 CROP CYTOGENETICS (2L+1P) II

Objective
To study crop evolution and cytogenetic approaches for crop improvement.

Theory
UNIT I
Origin and evolution of species; Centres of diversity/origin, diffused centres; domestication;
Patterns of evolution and domestication-examples and case studies. Domestication and uniformity
– Characteristics of early domestication and changes – Concept of gene pools and crop evolution;
Selection and Genetic drift - Consequences.
UNIT II
Speciation and domestication – The process of speciation – Reproductive isolation barriers –
Genetic differentiation during speciation –Hybridization - speciation and extinction.
UNIT III
Exploitation of natural variation – Early attempts to increase variation –Distant hybridization
and introgression- Inter-specific, inter-generic hybridization, scope and limitations, techniques to
overcome the limitations; Gene transfer into cultivated species, tools and techniques;Validation
of transferred genes and their expression; Controlled introgressions.

459
 UNIT IV
Processes in crop evolution and stabilization of polyploids, cytogenetic and genetic stabilization;
Genome organization – Transgenesis in crop evolution – Multifactorial genome – Intragenomic
interaction – Intergenomic interaction – Genome introgression. Cytogenetic analysis of species
relationships and evolution of wheat, rice, maize,sugarcane, Brassica, cotton, jute, tobacco, potato,
tomato, pulse crops, forage crops and cucurbits.
UNIT V
Methods to study crop evolution - Contemporary Methods – Cytogenetic analysis – Allozyme
variations and crop evolution – DNA markers, genome analysis and comparative genomics.
UNIT VI
Evolutionary significance of polyploidy, Evolution of crop plants through ploidy manipulations;
polyploids: methods of induction, use of autopolyploids;Haploidy-method of production and
use; allopolyploids- synthesis of new crops; - Case studies – Cereals – Pulses – Oilseeds –
vegetables, Fibre crops - Plantation crops – Forage crops – Tuber crops – Medicinal Plants.

Practicals
Patent Information Search; Patent Drafting; Opinion on Patentability; Patent Infringement
Suggested Readings
Hancock, J.F. 2004. Plant Evolution and the Origin of Crop Species. 2nd Ed.CABI.
Ladizinsky, G. 1999. Evolution and Domestication. Springer.
Miller, A.J. 2007. Crop Plants: Evolution. John Wiley & Sons.
Smartt, J. and Simmonds, N.W. 1995. Evolution of Crop Plants. Blackwell.

GP 612 DIVERSITY ANALYSIS (2L+1P) II

Objective
To expose students to various aspects of genetic diversity, its measurement, grouping and study
of phylogenetic relationship
UNIT I
The meaning of diversity, history, importance and its use in agriculture. Assessment of diversity:
Morphological, biochemical and molecular.
UNIT II
Statistical techniques for measuring diversity: Measures of quantitative and qualitative variability,
diversity indices; and methods for marker data analysis. Statistical techniques for clustering:
Hierarchical and non-hierarchical cluster analysis, algorithms for forming clusters/ dendrograms,
data transformation and choice of scales, exposure to various clustering softwares.
UNIT III
Evolution and Diversity: Phylogenetics, concept of evolutionary trees, rooted and unrooted
topology, methods for studying phylogeny-maximum, parsimony, distance methods, maximum
likelihood, reliability of prediction. Exposure to various softwares (MEGA, Phylip. NTSYS
etc.)
UNIT IV
Collection of germplasm diversity, required sample size and introduction to various germplasm
sampling models, Spatial tools for studying plant germplasm diversity

460
Practical
Estimation of diversity, Practical exercises using statistical software for clustering. Developing
phylogenic trees based on various methods, estimating and locating diversity using DIVA GIS,
determination of sample size for collecting diversity

Suggested Reading
Philip W Hedrick. 2005. Genetics of Populations. Jones & Bartlett Publishers. USA.
Sapra R L, Prem Narayan, S V S Chauhan, S K Lal and B B Singh. 2003. Sample size for
collecting germplasms- a polyplody model with mixed mating system. J Biosci.28 (2):155-161.
Weir D S. 1990. Genetic Data Analysis. Methods for Discrete Population Genetic Data. Sinauer
Associates.

GP 620 APPLIED CYTOGENETICS (3L+1P) III

Objectives
This course aims to teach advanced techniques in manipulating cytogenetics for genome analysis
in crop species.

Theory
UNIT I
Karyotyping – Chromosome banding and chromosome painting Tracking introgressions using
FISH, GISH, loclalization and mapping of genes/genomic segments. – Distant hybridization -
Role of polyploids in crop evolution and breeding - auto and allopolyploids.
UNIT II
Location and mapping of genes on chromosomes by various cytogenetical tools : Deficiency
method, Interchanges, all arms marker method, linked marker method, Inversions, Telocentrics.
Relative efficiency of different methods
UNIT III
Applications of cytogenetical methods for crop improvement; balanced lethal systems, their
maintenance and utility; multiple interchanges-use in producing inbreds, transfer of genes- linked
marker methods;
UNIT IV
Duplication - production and use; inversions and location of genes; B/A chromosome
translocations and gene location Duplications- Production and use. Balanced tertiary trisomics-
use in hybrid seed production. Polyploidy induction methods: Use of auto-polyploids. Haploidy-
methods of production and use.
UNIT V
Trisomics- different types, production, breeding behaviour and location of genes using trisomics.
Monosomics -methods of production, intervarietal substitutions, allelic and non-allelic
interactions.
UNIT VI
Gene transfer by distant hybridization: scope and limitation, methods to overcome barriers-
tissue culture. Allopolyploids-synthesis of new crop species and varieties, Alien chromosome
addition and substitutions. Chromosomal control of meiotic pairing and induced transfer of
alien genetic variation.

461
Suggested Readings
Clark M.S. and W.J. Wall. 1996. Chromosomes: The complex code. Chapman and Hall, London.
Conger B.V. (Ed) 1981. Cloning Agricultural Plants via in vitro Techniques. CRC Press Inc.
Constabel F and Vasil I.K. (Eds) 1988. Cell Culture and Somatic Cell Genetics of Plants. Vol. 5.
Cell.
Lal R and Lal S. (Eds) 1990. Crop Improvement utilizing Biotechnology. CRC Press Inc.
Mantel S.H. and Smith H. 1983. Plant Biotechnology. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

GP 621 BREEDING FOR CROP QUALITY TRAITS (2L+2P) III

Objectives
To understand recent advances in improving quality traits in cereals, millets, legumes, oilseeds
and forage crops by conventional and modern approaches.

Theory
UNIT I
Nutritional improvement - A human perspective, Developmental biochemistry and genetics of
carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, aminoacids and anti-nutritional factors - Wheat quality-
nutritional, rheological, baking properties and fractional aspects; - Molecular and cytogenetic
manipulation for quality improvement in wheat - Breeding for quality improvement in barley
and oats.
UNIT II
Breeding for grain quality parameters in rice and its analysis- aroma, amylose, GT, gel consistency,
elongation ratio, cooking quality, post harvest manipulation for quality improvement – vitamin
A enriched and aromatic rice – breeding strategies, achievements and application in Indian context
- Molecular basis of quality traits and their manipulation in rice - Post harvest manipulation for
quality improvement.
UNIT III
Breeding for quality improvement in Sorghum and pearl millet; Quality protein maize- – concept
and breeding strategies –kernel mutants and their uses in breeding for quality; Speciality corns;
Breeding for quality improvement in forage crops; Genetic resource management for sustaining
nutritive quality in crops
UNIT IV
Breeding for quality in pulses; groundnut, sesame, sunflower and minor oilseeds – Fatty acid
metabolism and its manipulation to increase PUFA in oil, Brassica-breeding for low erucic acid
and glucosinolates; Soybean- breeding for amelioration of anti nutritional factors; Genetic
manipulation for quality improvement in cotton.
UNIT V
Genetic engineering protocols for quality improvement – Achievements made - Value addition
in crops; classification and importance - Nutritional genomics and Second generation transgenics

Practicals
Grain quality evaluation in rice; correlating ageing and quality improvement in rice - Quality
analysis in millets; a comparison - Quality parameters evaluation in wheat; Quality parameters

462
 evaluation in pulses - Quality parameters evaluation in oilseeds - Value addition in crop plants;
Post harvest processing of major field crops - Quality improvement in crops through tissue
culture techniques - Evaluating the available populations like RIL, NIL etc. for quality
improvement using MAS procedures.

Suggested Readings
Chahal G.S. and S.S. Ghosal. 2002. Principles and procedures of plant breeding – Biotechnological
and Conventional approaches. Narosa Publications.
Chopra, V.L. 1997. Plant breeding. Oxford and IBH Publishing Company.
Jafar, Nigam. 1996. Genetic improvement of oilseed crops. Oxford and IBH Publishing Co.
Ghosh, Premamoy. 2004. Fibre Science and Technology. Tata McGraw Hill Publishers,
Singh, B.D. 1997 Plant breeding. Kalyani Publishers.
Singh, R.K., Singh, U.K. and Khush, G.S. 2000. Aromatic rices. Oxford IBH Publishers.
Speciality rices of the World – Breeding, production and marketing. 2001. FAO Oxford IBH.
Hay Robvert, K. 2006. Physiology of Crop Yield. 2nd Ed. Blackwell.

GP 640 ADVANCES IN PLANT BREEDING (3L+0P) III

Objective
To impart knowledge on advancement in plant breeding methodology, approaches and their
implications in crop improvement.

Theory
UNIT I
Introduction, course outline, overview & Perspectives; Different approaches to crop breeding
including improvement for quality and resistance attributes: concepts and new developments;
Marker assisted selection-Approaches, applications and outcomes, for realizing specific objectives;
Variations at genomic level, analysis and implications- from plant breeding point of view.; Stability-
Concept and applications;
UNIT II
Current developments in breeding and improvement of important cereals (wheat, Rice) and oil
seed crops (Brassica & Sunflower); pulses.
UNIT III
Crop domestication, adaptation and selection: an update; Classical experiments in crops – long
term selection,its consequences and utility; Comparison and contrasts between crop
domestication, classical breeding and molecular breeding; Hybrid technology in plant breeding:
Concept development, utilization & consequences;
UNIT IV
Associations mapping & in silico mapping: application and implications in plant breedingGene
introduction and selection –Natural and induced; utilization in plant breeding; Mutational variation
and long term selection response;
UNIT V
Approaches and effectiveness of breeding for drought tolerance, in different crops; Current
developments in improvement of pulses; Hybrid technology in Sunflower, brassica.

463
 UNIT VI
Implication of plant variety protection on plant breeding – past experience from other countries;
Implication of PVP&FR on crop improvement efforts in India; gearing up for change and meeting
specific requirements and obligations; EDV vs IDV – Approaches of development and
differentiation;Issues and impact of current & prospective approaches- (i) Participatory plant
breeding (ii) Organic farming (iii)Processing, post harvest requirements & value addition

Selected Readings
Lamkey, K.R. and Lee, M. 2006. Plant Breeding: The Arnel R. Hallauer Symposium. Blackwell
Publishing.
Kirakosyan, P. and Kaufman, B. 2009. Recent Advances in Plant Biotechnology. Springer.
Lal, R. and Lal, S. (Eds.). 1990. Crop Improvement Utilizing Biotechnology.CRC Press.
Yunbi, Xu. 2010. Molecular Plant Breeding. CABI.

GP 643 CONCEPTS IN HETEROSIS BREEDING (2L+1P) II

Theory
UNIT I
Heterosis: Introduction, Nomenclature and definitions of heterosis - Heterosis in natural and
bred population; Evolutionary aspects - Genetic consequences of selfing and crossing in self-and
cross-pollinated and asexually propagated crops crops;
UNIT II
Pre Mendelian and Post Mendelian ideas - Genetic theories of heterosis – Physiological,
Biochemical and molecular factors underlining heterosis; theories and their estimation; -
Evolutionary concepts of heterosis
UNIT III
Prediction of heterosis from various crosses - Inbreeding depression, frequency of inbreeding
and residual heterosis in F2 and segregating populations, importance of inbreeding in exploitation
of heterosis – case studies. - Relationship between genetic distance and expression of heterosis
– case studies; Divergence and Genetic Distance analyses-morphological and molecular genetic
distance in predicting heterosis, Development of heterotic pools in germplasm/genetic stocks
and inbreds, their improvement for increasing heterosis
UNIT IV
Types of male sterility and use in heterosis breeding, Maintenance, and transfer of different
types of male sterility.Fertility restoration- Genetics,Allelic relationship and breeding of new
restorer lines. Hybrid seed production methods involving 3-lines, 2-lines and 1-line system,
Development of inbreds and parental lines- A, B and R lines Use of self-incompatibility in
development of hybrids
UNIT V
Fixation of heterosis in self, cross and often cross pollinated crops, asexually / clonally propagated
crops, Apomixis in fixing heterosis-concept of single line hybrid.
UNIT VI
Molecular basis of heterosis, molecular basis of male sterility and fertility restoration, genetic
basis of inbreeding depression. Heterosis breeding in wheat, rice, cotton, maize, pearl millet,
sorghum and oilseed crops

464
Practicals
Selection indices and selection differential – calculations and interpretations - Male sterile line
characterization in millets; using morphological descriptors; restorer line identification and
diversification of male sterile sources - Male sterile line creation in dicots comprising oilseeds,
pulses and cotton; problems in creation of CGMS system; ways of overcoming them - Male
sterile line creation, diversification and restoration in forage crops; understanding the difficulties
in breeding apomicts; Estimation of heterotic parameters in self, cross and asexually propagated
crops - Estimation from the various models for heterosis parameters -Hybrid seed production in
field crops – an account on the released hybrids; their potential; problems and ways of overcoming
it; hybrid breeding at National and International level; opportunities ahead.

Suggested Readings
Akin, E. 1979. The geometry of population genetics. Springer-Verlag, Berlin Ben Hiu Lin. 1998.
Statistical genomics – linkage, mapping and QTL analysis. CRC Press
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