This course provides a critical appraisal of the role of the main plant-based technologies which can be used to advance sustainable crop production and food security.

This includes a consideration of the importance of crop breeding, seed technology and crop protection with particular emphasis on future needs.

At a glance

  • DurationFive days
  • LocationCranfield campus
  • Cost

    £1,400

What you will learn

On successful completion of this course you will be able to:

  • Explain the main strategies and technologies in producing new, improved varieties of crop plants,
  • Critically appraise the role of plant breeding and seed technology in delivering global food security,
  • Explain the process of developing a new agrochemical, and the main classes of agrochemicals currently and previously in use,
  • Critically appraise the main methods of biocontrol as an alternative to fungicides and insecticides,
  • Evaluate the contribution of research in developing plant-based technologies.

Core content

Seed industry:
  • Basic principles of genetics as applied to representative crop species,
  • Plant breeding strategies including conventional selection and marker assisted selection,
  • Genetic modification of crop plants,
  • Seed production and seed treatment technologies.
Agrochemicals:
  • Discovery and design of novel agrochemicals: screening, computer aided molecular design, formulation,
  • Insecticides, fungicides and herbicides: importance in food security - past and future, modes of action, regulation,
  • Biocontrol agents – principles and case studies,
  • Phytohormones and crop enhancers: agrochemicals to control plant growth and development.

Accommodation options and prices

This is a non-residential course. If you would like to book accommodation on campus, please contact Mitchell Hall or Cranfield Management Development Centre directly. Further information regarding our accommodation on campus can be found here.

Alternatively you may wish to make your own arrangements at a nearby hotel.

Location and travel

Cranfield University is situated in Bedfordshire close to the border with Buckinghamshire. The University is located almost midway between the towns of Bedford and Milton Keynes and is conveniently situated between junctions 13 and 14 of the M1.

London Luton, Stansted and Heathrow airports are 30, 90 and 90 minutes respectively by car, offering superb connections to and from just about anywhere in the world. 

For further location and travel details

Location address

Cranfield University
College Road
Cranfield
Bedford
MK43 0AL

Read our Professional development (CPD) booking conditions.