University of Liege | Version française
Study programmes 2013-2014Last update : 13/05/2014
FORE0033-1  Forest genetic resources management

Duration :  18h Th, 6h AUTR
Number of credits :  
Master in Forests and natural Areas Engineering, Professional Focus, 2nd year2
Lecturer :  Jean-Louis Doucet, Ludivine Lassois
Language(s) of instruction :  
French language
Organisation and examination :  
Teaching in the first semester, review in January
Course contents :  
This course focuses on concepts and methods to assess genetic variation in tree populations, and how to use that variability in tree improvement programs. It comprises 8 chapters :
1. Introduction to quantitative genetics and tree improvement programs
2. Mating designes, field designs and test implementation
3. Artificial selection: methods of population and individual selections
4. Long-term breeding cycles of forest tree improvement programs
5. Introduction to population genetics
6. Molecular markers and population genetic structure and diversity
7. Forces of evolution and tree population histories
8. Marker-assisted artificial selection
Learning outcomes of the course :  
After completing the course, the student is expected to:
- have a perfect command of principles encompassing quantitative genetics and their applications in selection: definition and estimates of phenotypic value, genetic/genotypic values, genotype x environment value, genetic correlation coefficients, genetic gain;
- be able to implement a genetic improvement program thanks to the knowledge gained from quantitative genetics: definition of plant origin, provenance, plus and elite trees, seed stand and seed orchard, clone orchard, etc., and establishment of genetic tests to perform both population and individual selections;
- have a good knowledge of population genetics principles in order to assess the degree of genetic variation within and between populations: Hardy-Weinberg principles, drift-mutation equilibrium, phylogeny and phylogeography approaches, estimates of the level of genetic diversity, consanguinity, and genetic distances;
- have a basic knowledge of principles of molecular analysis tools used to study genetic variability and improvements.
Prerequisites and co-requisites/ Recommended optional programme components :  
- Génétique générale (BIOL2016-3)
- Biologie moléculaire (BIOL2015-3)
Planned learning activities and teaching methods :  
This course is based on lectures delivred in a modular way (corresponding to chapters) and supplemented with specialists interventions. A field trip is also organised to understand fundamental concepts (seed stands, seed orchards, etc.).
Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning) :  
Face-to-face : 24 h (including one-day field trip)
Recommended or required readings :  
- Hartl D.L., Clark A.G. 2007. Principles of population genetics - Fourth Edition. Sinauer Associates, Massachusetts, USA.
- Nanson A. 2004. Génétique et amélioration des arbres forestiers. Les Presses Agronomiques de Gembloux, Belgique.
- White T.L., Adams W.T., Neale D.B. 2007. Forest genetics. CABI Publishing, Cambridge, USA.
- Freeland J.R., Kirk H., Petersen S.D. 2011. Molecular Ecology. Second Edition. Wiley-Blackwell, Oxford, UK.
Assessment methods and criteria :  
Written test: multiple choice test (100 %)
Work placement(s) :  
Organizational remarks :  
Contacts :  
DOUCET Jean-Louis (Professor)
Laboratoire de Foresterie des Régions tropicales et subtropicales
Unité de Gestion des Ressources forestières et des Milieux naturels
Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech
Passage des Déportés, 2
5030 Gembloux
+ 32 81 622342
jldoucet@ulg.ac.be


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