6.62 Plant Science Head: G.M. Ballance Telephone: (204) 474 8221 Fax: (204) 474 7528 Email: plantscience_gradstudies@umanitoba.ca Website: umanitoba.ca/afs/plant_science

General Office: 222 Agriculture

Academic Staff

Program Information
The Department of Plant Science is one of seven departments in the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences and draws together expertise in both the applied and basic sciences. Since its origin in 1937, the Department has maintained a leading role in agricultural research in Canada. Its achievements in rapeseed and canola breeding and in cereal breeding and cytogenetics are known world-wide. Faculty members have major research programs in agronomy and plant protection, horticulture, plant breeding and genetics, and plant physiology-biochemistry (elaborated below). The graduate program of coursework offers considerable choice to the student and is based mainly on the student’s primary interests and previous scholarly training. In general, a series of graduate courses in the student’s chosen field offered by the Department of Plant Science is required for the major credit. A wide range of courses in ancillary fields (e.g., botany, chemistry, statistics, soils, etc.) may be chosen to complete the graduate coursework.

Fields of Research
Programs of study and research are offered in the following areas, leading to the M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees.

Agronomy and Plant Protection: Cropping systems research; annual and perennial crop agronomy including rotational benefits of traditional and novel legumes; self-regenerating cover crops; long term organic vs conventional crop productions systems; pasture water use efficiency. Farming systems; salinity and edible beans; late- and early-season resource use of cover crops; forage seed production; soybean fertility and agronomy; technology transfer between analogous zones (Canada and the former USSR); hemp agronomy. Canola and wheat pathology; breeding for disease resistance; applied and molecular approaches to understanding the epidemiology of plant pathogens; biological control and mode of action by antagonists on plant pathogens; isolation, identification and characterization of microbial genes involved in pest control; proteomics in host-pathogen resistance; IPM in sustainable agricultural systems. Genetics of host-parasite interactions in leaf spot diseases of wheat, with emphasis on tan spot and septoria leaf blotch; breeding for disease resistance; diseases of pulse crops; application of image analysis to disease quantification; development of research and educational software. Understanding the biochemical and molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis and of plant defense reactions to microbial infections with an emphasis on molecular aspects of plant disease suppression by pathogens; mechanisms of biological control of plant diseases; role of inducers and suppessors in induced resistance; role of secondary metabolites (i.e. phenolics, terpenes) in plant-microbe interactions.

Plant Breeding and Genetics: Wheat breeding and genetics; modelling crop development and yield; genetics of resistance to leaf spotting diseases; development and evaluation of breeding methodologies; genetics of herbicide resistance; development of Fusarium Head Blight resistant germplasm; development of wheat for fuel and feed. Open pollinated population and hybrid canola/rapeseed breeding; open pollinated population and hybrid herbicide tolerant canola/rapeseed breeding; agronomy and genetic studies in canola/rapeseed; bio-products and bio-fuels research and development. Breeding for special oil quality in canola/rapeseed; application of biotechnology in canola breeding. Plant genomics and molecular biology; genetic and transcriptome mapping, gene profiling and cloning; construction of high density SRAP maps and molecular marker development; cloning of genes involved in the pathways of glucosinolates and fatty acids, and for disease resistance and male sterility in Brassica crops. Gene expression in plants during resistant or susceptible interactions with fungal or bacterial pathogens; genetic engineering of disease resistance; bioinformatics.

Plant Physiology-Biochemistry: Biochemical and molecular analyses of host-fungal pathogen interactions in wheat with emphasis on tan spot disease; fungal toxin structure and toxin mode of action. Biochemistry and physiology of anaerobic stress in cereals; biochemistry and molecular biology of abscisic acid metabolism in cereals; cereal germination physiology and biochemistry. Physiology and molecular biology of embryo development in-vivo and in-vitro; improvement of embryo quality and plant regeneration of both angiosperm and gymnosperm species through tissue culture techniques. Biochemistry and molecular biology of starch biosynthesis in cereals with emphasis on winter wheat; application of innovative technologies to improve the speed and efficiency of wheat cultivar development specifically for ethanol production; biofuels; abscisic acid signaling, and RNA metabolism.

There is a wide range of employment opportunities for M.Sc. and Ph.D. graduates from the Department of Plant Science, including research and teaching positions at universities throughout the world, research and extension positions with the federal and provincial governments and positions in private industry.

Research Facilities
The Department of Plant Science has excellent research facilities including well-equipped laboratories, ample greenhouse space and controlled-environment chambers, and a horticultural-research storage building. A 60 hectare field research station is situated on campus within walking distance of the Plant Science Building. As well the Department has a 165 hectare field-research station located at Carman on prime agricultural soil.

M.Sc. in Plant Science

Admission
Admission requirements are those of the Faculty of Graduate Studies found in the Graduate Studies Regulations Section of this Calendar.

Admission Deadlines
Canadian/U.S. students should submit their application and supporting documentation to the Department at least 3 months prior to their intended start date. International students should submit their application and supporting documentation to the Department at least 7 months prior to their intended start date.

Program Requirements

Research and thesis
A minimum of 15 credit hours of coursework (including PLNT 7250 Plant Science Seminar) of which at least 6 credit hours will be courses at the 700/7000 level. The 6 credit hours at the 700/7000 level cannot include PLNT 7250 Plant Science Seminar or ANSC 7500 Methodology in Agricultural and Food Sciences.

Second language reading requirement: none

Expected time to graduation: two years

Ph.D. in Plant Science

Admission
Admission requirements are those of the Faculty of Graduate Studies found in the Graduate Studies Regulations Section of this Calendar.

Admission Deadlines
Canadian/U.S. students should submit their application and supporting documentation to the Department at least 3 months prior to their intended start date. International students should submit their application and supporting documentation to the Department at least 7 months prior to their intended start date.

Program Requirements
Minimum Program requirements of the Faculty of Graduate Studies are found in the Graduate Studies Regulations Section of this Calendar. In addition, students must take PLNT 7420 Advanced Plant Science Seminar for which they must register each year of their Ph.D. program. The 12 credit hours at the 700/7000 level cannot include ANSC 7500 Methodology in Agricultural and Food Sciences.

Second language reading requirement: none

Expected time to graduation: three years

Course Descriptions

At the time of printing of the 2007-2008 Graduate Calendar and Registration Guide, the Department of Plant Science was in the process of modifying their course offerings. Please consult the department website for up-to-date course offering information as some new courses may be offered. http://webapps.cc.umanitoba.ca/calendar08/graduate_studies/programs/plant_science.asp

PLNT 7160 Advanced Genetics Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 039.716) Procedures and designs in genetic experimentation, the fundamentals of gene action, mutation and mutagens, linkage and recombination, extranuclear inheritance. Prerequisite: PLNT 4330 (or 039.433) or consent of instructor.

PLNT 7162 Plant Genomics Cr.Hrs.3 Detailed analysis of advanced genomic techniques, experimental approaches, and progress in current plant genomic projects.

PLNT 7170 Advanced Plant Breeding Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 039.717) Advanced training in modern methods of plant breeding. Prerequisite: PLNT 3520 (or 039.352) or consent of instructor.

PLNT 7250 Plant Science Seminar Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 039.725) Principles of oral and poster presentations, visual aid design and organization are discussed and then applied by students in presentations of their current research, and agricultural issues. Course evaluated on a pass/fail basis.

PLNT 7340 Advanced Weed Science Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 039.734) Weed biology and ecology in the context of weed management, covering theory, current information, investigative approaches and experimental techniques. Topics explored include: weed population biology, modelling, weed community ecology, herbicide efficacy and herbicide resistant weeds. Prerequisite: PLNT 3540 (or 039.354) or equivalent or consent of instructor.

PLNT 7420 Advanced Plant Science Seminar Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 039.742) The development of a research proposal, instruction and practice in scientific writing and presentation of a seminar. For Ph.D. students only. Course evaluated on a pass/fail basis.

PLNT 7480 Epidemiology of Plant Disease Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 039.748) Lectures, seminars and discussions relating epidemiological principles to plant disease development and control. The course examines in depth the interrelationships of host, pathogen and environment. Measurement of epidemiological parameters is stressed in relation to disease assessment, disease forecasting and disease management.

PLNT 7490 Storage of Horticultural Crops Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 039.749) Types of storage available for fruits, vegetables and ornamentals will be discussed in relation to their effects on post-harvest physiology and stored crop quality.

PLNT 7610 Topics in Crop Physiology Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 039.761) An in-depth study of selected topics of current interest in the field of Crop Physiology. For Ph.D. students. Prerequisite: written consent of department head.

PLNT 7612 Advanced Plant Physiology Cr.Hrs.3 Examination of current concepts of regulation and limitations of photosynthesis, nitrogen metabolism, and assimilate partitioning in field and horticultural crops. Content will include the mode of action of plant growth regulators and herbicides in these processes. Not to be held with the former 039.764. Prerequisites: [PLNT 3500 (or 039.350) and PLNT 4590 (or the former 039.452)] or consent of instructor.

PLNT 7620 Topics in Agronomy Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 039.762) An in-depth study of selected topics of current interest in the field of Agronomy. For Ph.D. students. Prerequisite: written consent of department head.

PLNT 7630 Topics in Plant Pathology Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 039.763) An in-depth study of selected topics of current interest in the field of Plant Pathology. For Ph.D. students. Prerequisite: written consent of department head.

PLNT 7650 Specialized Plant Pathology Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 039.765) A laboratory course permitting the student to work directly under one of the plant pathology specialists of the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Research Centre. It includes the study of assigned literature and preparation of seminars in specialized fields. Prerequisite: written consent of department head.

PLNT 7660 Advanced Crop Production Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 039.766) A lecture-seminar course to investigate environmental, crop management and genetic limitations to growth, yield formation, yield, water use efficiency and quality of field, forage and horticultural crops. Interactions will be stressed and emphasis will be placed on sustainable crop production systems. Simple and complex relationships will be demonstrated using models. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

PLNT 7670 Quantitative Genetics and Plant Breeding Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 039.767) The theoretical basis of quantitative genetic variation. The genetic structure of plant breeding populations. Estimation, interpretation and use of genetic parameters in cross-pollinated and self-pollinated plant species. Variance components, genotype x environment interaction, inbreeding, heterosis, selection, heritability and combining ability. Prerequisites: [PLNT 3520 (or 039.352) and PLNT 4330 (or 039.433)] or consent of instructor.

PLNT 7680 Plant Molecular Genetics Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 039.768) A synthesis of the knowledge gained from the application of molecular and classical genetics to the study of plant biology, and its impact on biotechnology. Areas of emphasis include transgenic plants, molecular markers, development and physiology, and molecular plant pathology. Prerequisite: [PLNT 2530 (or 039.253) or the former 039.450 or PLNT 3140 (or 039.314) or PLNT 4330 (or 039.433)] or equivalent or consent of instructor.

PLNT 7690 Bioinformatics Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 039.769) An introduction to the theory, strategies and practice of data management, analysis and utilization in molecular biology. Topics include DNA and protein sequence analysis, biological databases, genomic mapping and analysis of gene expression data. The course will include problem-solving exercises using Unix server-based software. Prerequisites: [PLNT 2530 (or 039.253) or the former 039.450 or PLNT 3140 (or 039.314) or PLNT 4540 (or 039.454) or MBIO 3410 (or 060.341)] or consent of instructor.

PLNT 7YYY Special Problems in Plant Science Cr.Hrs.3 Reading or assignment or research on specific aspects of crop development, crop production, weed science, plant pathology, plant biochemistry or plant physiology. Prerequisite: written consent of department head.

PLNT 7XXX Topics in Plant Breeding and Genetics Cr.Hrs.3 An in-depth study of selected topics of current interest in the fields of plant breeding and genetics. For Ph.D. students. Prerequisite: written consent of department head.