CONFIDENTIAL AT/DEC 2020/AGR516

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA

TEST

COURSE : PLANT BREEDING

COURSE CODE : AGR 516
EXAMINATION : DECEMBER 2020
TIME : 1 HOUR AND 15 MINUTES

INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES

1. This question paper consists of SIX questions.

2. Answer ALL questions in English.

STUDENT DETAILS

• STUDENT NAME :
• STUDENT ID :

DO NOT ANSWER THE QUESTION UNTIL YOU ARE TOLD TO DO SO

This test paper consists of three printed pages

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ANSWER ALL THE QUESTIONS.

QUESTION 1

Variability can be created in some crop species by manipulation of the chromosome number.

a) State the term for the condition of somatic cells that presence of an extra set of
chromosomes.
(2 marks)

b) Discuss the importance of the condition stated above in plant breeding.

(8 marks)

QUESTION 2

As a scientist of crop improvement, you want to produce a new characteristic of paddy without
through the fertilization process. Discuss the method that you may use and then briefly explain
the procedure.
(10 marks)

QUESTION 3

Define the term of self-incompatibility. Identify one example of plant crop that has
characteristic of self-incompatibility and discuss how to increase fruit production for this crop.
(10 marks)

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QUESTION 4

Linda wants to produce superior wheat variety with characteristics of high yielding through
hybridization. Her main objective is to transfer the desirable characteristics from donor parents
to adapt parents. Briefly discuss the type of breeding method that can be used by Linda to
increase homozygosity and illustrates how the gene is transferred to the adapted variety
through this method.
(10 marks)

QUESTION 5

Corn was considered as an important crop in certain region of the world. Many research
programs have been conducted to improve corn with various breeding objectives.

a) Briefly explain how the development of inbred line in corn leads to mechanism of
inbreeding depression.
(5 marks)

b) Describe the method that can be used to produce high seed number of corn hybrids to
supply to farmers.
(5 marks)

QUESTION 6

The new tomato variety with characteristics of large fruit size has been developed through
conventional hybridization technique between Tomato A and Tomato B. Briefly describe the
procedures and hybridization techniques that have been taken to produce such new variety.

(10 marks)

END OF QUESTIONS