CRS 7113 UTILIZATION AND CONSERVATION OF PLANT GENETIC RESOURCES
2. INSTRUCTOR:
Dr. E.N Sabiiti (BSc Agric, MUK, MSC Agric. MUK, Uganda; PhD, University of New Brunswick, Canada).
FTwas,FUNAS,FAAS
3. COURSE TYPE: Elective for MSc ,PhD students in Crop Sciences
4. COURSE STRUCTURE:
3 Credit units: 30 lecture hours (2 contact hours per week for 15 study weeks) and 30 practical hours (1 contact hour
per week for 15 study weeks)
5. COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Centers of origin and diversity for major crops. Use of wild germplasm in crop improvement. Methods of
conservation; in-situ conservation, cryopreservation, gene bank technology. Collection and utilization of wild
germplasm; explorations; gene pools I vs II, their use in crop improvement. Domestication of wild germplasm for
various purposes; International treaties.
6. COURSE OBJECTIVE:
 Students to appreciate the contribution of genes from wild relatives
 The opportunities available to exploit wild relatives
 The importance of collecting and conserving biodiversity
 Rational use of biodiversity
 Understanding global treaties /rules and regulation
7. RECOMMENDED READING LIST
 Collecting plant genetic diversity. L.Guarino, V.Ramanatha Rao, Robert Reid
 Buckwheat genetic Resources in East Asia -IBPGR
 Training Materials- PGR conservation and use-IPGRI
 Conservation and Wise Use of Indigenous and Medicinal Plants. Sharing Innovative Experiences Vol 7
 Conserving Biodiversity in Arid Regions; Best Practices in developing Nations(Edts: J Lemons ,R Victor,D
Schaffer; 2003; Kluwer Academic Publishes
 Lost Crops of Africa;Vol 1-111. National Academies ,US ;The national Academies Press. 2006
 Collecting Plant Genetic Diversity;Technical Guidelines.(Eds) L Guarino;V Ramanatha Rao and R reid. CB
International 1995.
 Cryopreservation of tropical plant Germplasm. Current research progress and Application. Eds F
Engelmann and H Takagi. IPGRI. 2000.
 Conservation and Utilisation. Proceed of Ist Plant Genetic Resources Workshop. Eds.E N Sabiiti;H kamau;D
Karamura and J Wasswa. 1992. IPGRI,Sida,Makerere University and MAAIF.
8. COURSE CONTENT, METHODS OF INSTRUCTION, TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT REQUIRED
CONTENT
METHOD OF
TOOLS/
INSTRUCTION / Time NEEDED
allocated
1. Introduction
Role of agrobiodiversity in economic
Interactive lecture (2 LCD Projector,
development, Centres of origin of crops,
hrs)
BB/Chalk.
evolution of cultivated plants, Domestication: Tutorial 1hr
ethino botany,
TOPIC
2. Diversity

Definitions of concepts
Interactive Lecture (2 LCD Projector,
3. Diversity
4. Germplasm
5. Explorations


Genetic diversity of cultivated plants,
sustainability.
hrs)
Tutorial 1hr












Genetics:
adaptation,
ecological genetics
gene pools,
genomics
Germplasm
genetic erosion
Strategies on diversity
Crop improvements
History of plant germplasm collections
Germplasm collections:
base, active, field, core, backup,
regional
Legal issues
Collect various plant samples for gene
bank conservation
Lecture (1 hr)
Field practicals 5hrs
14 seat bus
Field gear for
collections
BB/Chalk
BB/Chalk,
Transport (14
Practical -field tour (3 seater) to
hrs)
MUARIK.
Lecture (1 hr)
BB/Chalk,
Transport (14
Practical -field tour (2 seater) to
hrs)
MUARIK.
Lecture 2hrs
LCD Projector,
Tutorial 1hr
BB/Chalk
Materials
6.Explorations


7. Essays

Continuous assessment and student
presentations
Students present
on selected topics
3hrs
LCD Projector,
BB/Chalk
8 Essays

Continuous assessment and student
presentations
Students present
on selected topics
3hrs
LCD Projector,
BB/Chalk.
9. Conservation

Lecture 1 hrs
Tutorial 2hr
LCD Projector,
BB/Chalk.
10. Conservation


Types of Conservation: in situ, new
techniques, public awareness
Legal issues
Conservation: ex situ, new techniques,
public awareness
Lecture 1hr
Tutorial 1hr
BB/Chalk,
Handouts,
Lab materials
LCD Projector,
BB/Chalk.
11. Concepts of
Evaluation

Evaluation and characterization of plant
germplasm
 Documentation
Continuous assessment and student
presentations
Lecture 1hr
Tutorial 1hr
Students present
on selected topics
3hrs
LCD Projector,
BB/Chalk
13. Genebanks

Lecture 1hr
Tutorial 1hr
LCD Projector,
BB/Chalk
14. Essays



Students present
on selected topics
LCD Projector,
BB/Chalk
12. Essays
gene banks as depositories for genetic
enhancement
Types
Management
Continuous assessment and student
presentations
3hrs
15. Global and political
issues:





16-17
Week 16&17

History,
national and international collections,
intellectual property rights,
international agreements,
biotechnology
Lecture 2hr
LCD Projector,
BB/Chalk
Final Exam
9. SUMMARY OF TIME NEEDED:
Lectures
Tutorials (and assignments)
Practicals
15 hrs
10. COURSE ASSESSMENT:
Continuous assessment
There will be essays on given topics
Based on essays and
presentations
University
Final examination during week 16-17
END
40%
60%
20 hrs
10 hrs