CROP SCIENCE

DEPARTMENT OF CROP SCIENCE STAFF

 

1 B. N. Mbah, B.Sc. (Nigeria), M.Sc. (California), Ph.D (Texas A & M) Professor
2 M. I. Uguru, B. Agric. M.Sc, Ph.D (Nigeria), PGD (KUL Belgium) Professor
3 K. P. Baiyeri, B.Agric., M.Sc. Ph.D (Nigeria) Professor
4 P. E. Ogbonna, B. Agric. M.Sc, Ph.D (Nigeria) Senior Lecturer
5 B.C. Echezona, B. Agric. M.Sc., Ph.D (Nigeria) Professor
6 U. M. Ndubuaku B.Sc. (Botany), UNN, M.Sc (UI), Ph.D (UI) Reader
7 K. I. Ugwuoke, B. Agric. M.Sc, Ph.D (Nigeria) Reader
8 C. U. Agbo, B. Agric, M.Sc, Ph.D (Nigeria) Reader
9 G. O. Oko, B.Sc, M.Sc. (Botany), Ph.D (Nigeria) Senior lecturer
10 C.C. Onyeonagu (Formerly C.C. Mpamah), B. Agric, M.Sc., Ph.D (Nigeria) Senior lecturer
11 Onyia V. N. B. Agric, M.Sc., Ph.D (Nigeria) Senior Lecturer
12 S. C. Eze B. Agric, M.Sc., Ph.D. (Nigeria) Senior Lecturer
13 Aba, S.C., B. Agric, M.Sc., (Nigeria) Lecturer I
14 Mbachanya J. I., B. Agric, M.Sc., (Nigeria) Lecturer II
15 Osadebe V. O., B. Agric, M.Sc., (Nigeria) Lecturer II
16 Okechukwu Emeka B. Agric, M.Sc., (Nigeria) Lecturer II
17 Amuji, C.F., B. Agric, M.Sc., (Nigeria) Lecturer II
18 Chukwudi, U. P., B. Agric, M.Sc., (Nigeria) Lecturer II
19 S.I. Umeh, B. Agric, M.Sc., (Nigeria) Chief Technologist
20 E. I. Eze B. Agric, M.Sc., (Nigeria) Senior Laboratory
21 V. N. Anusien (Mrs) Asst. Chief Typist
22 L. Ugwuonah Executive Officer

 

DEPARTMENT OF CROP SCIENCE

UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA, NSUKKA

 

 

POSTGRADUATE DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY DEGREE (Ph.D) PROGRAMME

 

SEPTEMBER, 2015

UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA

DEPARTMENT OF CROP SCIENCE

 

POSTGRADUATE PROGRAMMES

 

1.0       INTRODUCTION

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (Ph.D) IN CROP PRODUCTION

 

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) programmes in Crop Science will be awarded in the following areas of specialization:

  1. Crop Production
  2. Crop Physiology
  • General Horticulture
  • Tropical fruit and Plantation Crops
  • Vegetable Crop Production
  • Forage and Fodder Crops
  • Seed Science and Technology
  • Plant Breeding and Genetics
  • Economic Entomology
  • Plant Mycology
  • Plant Nematology
  • Plant Bacteriology
  • Plant Virology
  • Weed science

 

 

2.0       Philosophy

The Doctor of philosophy (Ph.D) Degree programme in Crop Science is to develop high level manpower in academics and research in the various areas of specialization.

3.0       Aims and Objectives

The Doctor of Philosophy Degree programmes in the Department is aimed at:

  • Equipping students with research skills through the conduct of supervised research, seminar presentations, and thesis preparation and defence.
  • Producing graduates for Universities, Research Institution, as well as, Public and Private sectors.

 

4.0       Admission Requirements

Candidates seeking admission for Doctor of Philosophy Degree must have a Master’s Degree in any of the fields/areas of specialization in Crop Science or related disciplines/areas with a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.5 in a 5 point average or its equivalents from recognized Universities/Institutions.

4.0       Duration of Master’s Degree Programme

  • The full time Doctor of philosophy Degree programme shall run for a minimum of four (4) semesters and maximum of six (6) semesters.
  • The part-time Doctor of Philosophy Degree programme shall run for a minimum of six (6) semesters and maximum of eight (8) semesters.

5.0       Requirements for Graduation

Candidates must have fulfilled the following conditions to be awarded Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) Degree in his area of specialization.          

  1. A candidate must have passed a minimum of 48 units made up of the following:

 

Course                                                            Units

Course transferred from M.Sc                                    21

Electives                                                          12

Thesis/Dissertation                                          16

Seminar                                                           2

Total                                                               51

 

 

6.0       SPECIALIZATIONS

Specializations are offered at Ph.D degree programmes as follows

  1. Crop Production
    • Crop Physiology
    • General Horticulture
    • Tropical fruit and Plantation Crops
    • Vegetable Crop Production
    • Forage and Fodder Crops
    • Seed Science and Technology
    • Plant Breeding and Genetics
    • Economic Entomology
    • Plant Mycology
    • Plant Nematology
    • Plant Bacteriology
    • Plant Virology
    • Weed science

 

(a)        Crop Production

            First Semester

  Course Structure Units
PGC 701 Synopsis and grant writing 3   Core
CSC 721 Advanced Field Crop Fertilization and manuring 2   Elective
CSC 723 Advanced Crop growth analysis 2   Elective
CSC 725 Advanced Seed Science and Technology 2   Elective
CSC 727 Organically produced tropical crops 2   Elective
CSC 781 Seminar 2   Core
  Total 21

 

Second Semester

  Course Structure Units
CSC 722 Advanced Farming and Cropping Systems 2   Elective
CSC 742 Tropical Fruits and Vegetables Technology 2   Elective
CSC 762 Advanced Crop Biotechnology 2 Elective
CSC 792 Thesis 16   Core
  Total 20
  1. b) Crop Physiology

First Semester

  Course Structure Units
PGC 701 Synopsis and grant writing 3   Core
CSC 751 Advanced Field Crop Physiology 2   Elective
CSC 753 Advanced Post Harvest Physiology of Horticultural Crops 2   Elective
CSC 755 Advanced Physiology of Parasitism (Host-Plant Relationship) 2   Elective
CSC 757 Environmental Crop Physiology 2   Elective
CSC 781 Seminar 2   Core
  Total 21

 

Second Semester

  Course Structure Units
CSC 762 Advanced Crop in Biotechnology 2   Elective
CSC 724 Advanced Breeding for Host Plant Resistance to Pests 2   Elective
CSC 792 Thesis 16   Core
  Total 20

 

  1. c) Horticulture

First Semester

  Course Structure Units
PGC 701 Synopsis and grant writing 3   Core
CSC 721 Advanced Field Crop Fertilization & Manuring 2   Elective
CSC 741 Tropical Floriculture and Landscape Management 2   Elective
CSC 727 Organically Produced Tropical Crops 2   Elective
CSC 759 Advanced Post Harvest Storage 2   Elective
CSC 781 Seminar 2   Core
  Total 21

Second Semester

  Course Structure Units
CSC 744 Advanced Horticultural Crop Production Systems 2   Elective
CSC 764 Biotechnological Approach to Pest Management 2   Elective
CSC 792 Thesis 16   Core
  Total 24
  1. c) Forage and Fodder Crops

First Semester

  Course Structure Units  
PGC 701 Synopsis and grant writing 3   Core
CSC 729 Agronomy of Grass/Legume Mixtures 3   Core  
CSC 723 Advanced Crop Growth Analysis 2   Elective  
CSC 725 Advanced Seed Science and Tehcnology 2   Elective  
CSC 781 Seminar 2   Core  
  Total 21  

Second Semester

  Course Structure Units
CSC 726 Pasture Ecosystem 3   Elective
CSC 731 Toxicological Problems in Range and Sown Pastures 3   Elective
CSC 728 Pasture Improvement and Rangeland management 3 Core
CSC 792 Thesis 16   Core
  Total 24

 

 

  1. d) Plant Breeding and Genetics

First Semester

  Course Structure Units  
PGC 701 Synopsis and grant writing 3   Core
CSC 762 Advanced Crop Biotechnology 2   Elective  
CSC 701 Advanced Biometrical Genetics 2   Elective  
CSC 703 Advanced Plant Breeding and Genetics 2   Elective  
CSC 725 Advanced Seed Sciences and Technology 2   Elective  
CSC 781 Seminar 2   Core  
  Total 13  

Second Semester

  Course Structure Units
CSC 752 Advanced Crop Physiology 2   Elective
CSC 792 Thesis 16   Core
  Total 18

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  1. e) Seed Science and Technology

First Semester

  Course Structure Units  
PGC 701 Synopsis and grant writing 3   Core
CSC 725 Advanced Seed Science and Technology 2   Elective  
CSC 705 Seed Quality Assurance and Enterprise 2   Elective  
CSC 762 Advanced Crop Biotechnology 2   Elective  
CSC 707 Seed Development Policy 2   Elective  
CSC 781 Seminar 2   Core  
  Total 13  

Second Semester

  Course Structure Units
CSC 702 Seed Domestication & Conservation 2   Elective
CSC 703 Advanced Plant Breeding and Genetics 2   Elective
CSC 706 Advanced Seed Multiplication and Protection 2   Elective
CSC 792 Thesis 16   Core
  Total 22

 

(f) Economic Entomology

First Semester

  Course Structure Units  
PGC 701 Synopsis and grant writing 3  Core
CSC 713 Insect Physiology and Behaviour 2   Elective  
CSC 715 Advanced Insect Population Ecology 2   Elective  
CSC 759 Advanced Post Harvest Storage 2   Elective  
CSC 717 Bio-Control of Pests 2   Elective  
CSC 781 Seminar 2   Core  
  Total 15  

 

Second Semester

  Course Structure Units
CSC 713 Advanced Plant Breeding and Genetic 2   Elective
CSC 764 Biotechnological Approach to Pest Management 2   Elective
CSC 714 Advanced Post-Harvest Entomology 2   Elective
CSC 716 Insect Taxonomy and Biosystemics 2   Elective
CSC 792 Thesis 16   Core
  Total 24

 

(g) Plant Mycology

First Semester

  Course Structure Units  
PGC 701 Synopsis and grant writing 3   Core
CSC 735 Advanced Techniques In Seed Pathology 2   Elective  
CSC 761 Application of Biotechnology in Pest Management 2   Elective  
CSC 737 Advanced Mycology 2   Elective  
CSC 759 Advanced Post Harvest Storage 2   Elective  
CSC 739 Plant Disease Epidemiology 2   Elective  
CSC 781 Seminar 2   Core  
  Total 15  

 

Second Semester

  Course Structure Units
CSC 734 Advanced Crop Pests Management 2   Elective
CSC 750 Advanced Crop Ecology 2   Elective
CSC 762 Advances Crop Biotechnology 2   Elective
CSC 792 Thesis 16   Core
  Total 24

 

(h) Plant Nematology

 

First Semester

  Course Structure Units  
PGC 701 Synopsis and grant writing 3   Core
CSC 735 Advanced Techniques In Seed Pathology 2   Elective  
CSC 761 Application of Biotechnology in Pest Management 2   Elective  
CSC 755 Advanced Physiology of Parasitism (Host-Plant Relationship) 2   Elective  
CSC 759 Advanced Post Harvest Storage 2   Elective  
CSC 739 Plant Disease Epidemiology 2   Elective  
CSC 781 Seminar 2   Core  
  Total 15  

 

Second Semester

  Course Structure Units
CSC 736 Advanced Plant Nematology 2   Elective
CSC 750 Advanced Crop Ecology 2   Elective
CSC 734 Advanced Crop Pests Management 2   Elective
CSC 792 Thesis 16   Core
  Total 22

(i)         Plant Bacteriology

First Semester

  Course Structure Units  
PGC 701 Synopsis and grant writing 3   Core
CSC 711 Advanced Plant Bacteriology Research 2   Elective  
CSC 761 Application of Biotechnology in Pest Management 2   Elective  
CSC 735 Advanced Techniques In Seed Pathology 2   Elective  
CSC 739 Plant Disease Epidemiology 2   Elective  
CSC 759 Advanced Post Harvest Storage 2   Elective  
CSC 781 Seminar 2   Core  
  Total 12  

 

Second Semester

  Course Structure Units
CSC 743 Advanced Insect Transmission of Plant Diseases 2   Elective
CSC 734 Advanced Crop Pests Management 2   Elective
CSC 746 Advanced Crop Ecology 2   Elective
CSC 792 Thesis 16   Core
  Total 22

(j)        Plant Virology

First Semester

  Course Structure Units  
PGC 701 Synopsis and grant writing 3   Core
CSC 735 Advanced Techniques In Seed Pathology 2   Elective  
CSC 761 Application of Biotechnology in Pest Management 2   Elective  
CSC 759 Advanced Post Harvest Storage 2   Elective  
CSC 739 Plant Disease Epidemiology 2   Elective  
CSC 781 Seminar 2   Core  
  Total 13  

 

Second Semester

  Course Structure Units
CSC 712 Advanced Insect Transmission of Plant Diseases 2   Elective
CSC 734 Advanced Crop Pests Management 2   Elective
CSC 738 Recent Advances in Plant Virology 2   Elective
CSC 750 Advanced Crop Ecology 2   Elective
CSC 792 Thesis 16   Core
  Total 22

 

  1. k) Weed Science

First Semester

  Course Structure Units  
PGC 701 Synopsis and grant writing 3   Core
CSC 721 Advanced Field Crop Fertilization and Manuring 2   Elective  
CSC 762 Advanced Crop Biotechnology 2   Elective  
CSC 750 Advanced Crop Ecology 2   Elective  
CSC 733 Advanced Insect Vectors of Plant Pathogens Pathology 2   Elective  
CSC 781 Seminar 2   Core  
  Total 13  

 

Second Semester

  Course Structure Units
CSC 732 Advanced Biochemistry of Herbicide Action 2   Elective
CSC 752 Advanced Crop Physiology 2   Elective
CSC 792 Thesis 16   Core
  Total 20

COURSE DESCRIPTION

 PGC 701:       Synopsis and grant writing             

Identification of types and nature of grant and grant writing; mining of grants application calls on the internet. Determining appropriate strategy for each grant application. Study of various grant application structures and contents and writing of concept notes, detailed project description, budgeting and budget defense. Study of sample grant writings in various forms and writing of mock research and other grants. Identification of University of Nigeria synopsis structure and requirements, (Introduction, Methodology and Results). Determining, the content of each sub-unit of the synopsis. Steps in writing of synopsis from the Dissertation/Thesis document. Structural and language issues. Common errors in synopsis writing and strategies for avoiding them. The roles of the student and the supervisor in the production of a synopsis. Writing of mock synopsis. All registered Ph.D students must attend a solution-based interactive workshop to be organized by the School or Postgraduate Studies for a practical demonstration and application of the knowledge acquired from the course, conducted by selected experts.                                         3 units

 

CSC 701         Biometrical Genetics II

Non-Parametric Methods in plant breeding and selection- In Stratified Ranking And Consistency Performance. Multivariate Techniques-Pattern Analysis, Cluster, And Principal Components (PCA), Analyses, Dendrogram And Factor Analysis. The Environment – Comstock and Moll (1963), Micro- environment, Macro-environment (Different years, Locations, Fertilizer Levels, Planting Dates, Irrigation Schedules, etc, Allard and Bradshaw (1964), Pridictable Variation (Soil Types, Day Length, Planting Dates and other Agronomic Practices etc), unpredictable variation- fluctuating features of the Environment, Weather (Rainfall and temperature). 2 units

 

CSC 702         Seed Domestication & Conservation

Seed classification and taxonomy; flowering and yield patterns, collection, processing and propagation of indigenous and exotic seeds; conservation techniques in situ and ex situ community, government conservation strategies, research, natural ecosystems, parks, gardens, home gardens, government laws and sanctions.                                                                2 units

 

CSC 703         Plant Breeding and Genetics II

Biotechnology in crop improvement, molecular markers and marker-assisted selection autoploidy in plant breeding: alloploidy and aneuploidy mutation breeding interspecific hybridization genetics and breeding for resistance to diseases and insects (biotic stresses), mineral stresses (salinity, mineral deficiency and mineral toxicity), and heat and cold stresses (abiotic stesses). Quality seed: classes, production practices and maintenance. Release and maintenance of breeding materials field plot techniques and experimental designs.               2 units

 

CSC 705         Seed Quality Assurance and Enterprise

Concept of seed quality, seed certification procedures and indicators, varietal development eligibility, seed multiplication; breeder, foundation and certified seeds, testing for germination and physical characteristics, viability tests, seed loss, moisture content and storage; physiological, pathological disorders, uniformity and stability; seed research and development. Definition of seed demand and supply systems, scales of enterprise – small, medium and large scale organization and models, private/public enterprise, merits and demerits, specific seed production enterprises (cereals, legumes, and tubers, clone, tissue, culture plants, marketing studies, government policy for seed enterprises production.                                                2 units

 

CSC 706         Advanced Seed Multiplication and Protection

Concept of seed multiplication, importance of improved seeds, clones, varietal development and release protocols and registration, multiplication techniques for forage landscape, food crops, cereals, legumes, tubers, clones, explants and medicinal plants; constraints and advocacy, research strategies and policies. Diseases and insects pests of seeds and control methods. IPM in seed production.                                                                                                            2 units

 

CSC 707         Seed Development Policy

Characteristics of indigenous and exotic seed production systems; gender issues; saving, storage, marketing in Nigeria,; improved storage, research, manpower training and institutions, infrastructural development; agencies for varietal certification, release, quality monitoring and evaluation, funding public/private partnership frameworks, credit facilities, seed health, and safety, laws and sanctions.                                                                                                             2 units

 

CSC 711         Recent Advance in Plant Bacteriology Research

Origin of phyto-pathogenic bacteria, nomenclature and classification, physical and chemical structure, nutrition, growth, reproduction and variability. Infection and disease development. Nature of hypersentive reaction. Anatomical, physiological and Biochemical changes during pathogenesis. role of bacteriophages and bacteriosis in plant disease control, practical: estimation of generation tune of bacterium. In vitro and in vico-evaluation of chemicals, detection of phytopathogenic bacteria from different substrates. Typing by phases, serological techniques.                                                                                                                                                             2 units

 

CSC 712         Advanced Insect Transmission of Plant Diseases

The feeding and breeding habits of insects in relation to transmission of plant diseases. Insect mouth parts and salivary glands, concepts and kinds ofsymbiosis between insects and micro-organisms (Ecto and Endo symbiosis), nature of diseases caused by toxigenic and toxiniferous insects, “phyto-tozacmias” or toxicoses” compared with virus diseases; insect galls and gall causing insect, morphology of galls (ambrosia galls, gall producing stimulus, histology of galls). Insect -plant relationships with reference to host plant -resistance and related factors, problems and research techniques involved in developing insect resistant.                          2 units

 

CSC 713         Insect Physiology and Behaviour

Physiological processes in insect growth and development. Environmental factors that affect insect behaviour, insect response to light, temperature, humidity and day length, defence mechanism in insect, insect polymorphism.                                                                    2 units

 

CSC 714         Advances Post-Harvest Entomology

Purpose of crop storage, Insect pests of economic importance of major crops stored products, damages caused by stored product pests, Physiological processes in insect growth and development. Environmental factors that affect insect incidences, stored products pest management practices.                                                                                             2 units

 

 

CSC 715         Advances in Insect Population Ecology

General ecosystem, agroecosystem and ecological causes of pest problems. Insect population theories. Ecological bases for cultural, biological and genetic insect pest control. The ecology of chemical control and insect resistance; insect plant interaction.                                   2 units

 

 

CSC 716         Insect Taxonomy and Biosystemics

Taxonomic principles, Use of taxonomy in agriculture, the species concept, identification and formation of keys, curetting, classification, taxonomy of major insect orders, zoological nomenclature, diversity and variability in insects, isolating mechanisms in insects. Practical field trips, basic tools and general techniques.                                                    2 units

 

 

CSC 717         Biological Control of Pests

Concept of biological control, principles and practices of biological control, the bionomic and physiology of parasitic insects, methods of biological control. Current status of biological control of insect pests, new emerging techniques, use of entornophagous insects, ecology and physiology of parasitic insects, host specificity and evolution of host-paarasite relationships, entomopathogens used in biological control, breeding and culturing techniques.       2 units

 

CSC 721         Advanced Field Crop Fertilization & Manuring

Maintenance of soil organic matter and its utilization in crop production, Factors affecting quality of organic matter: crop response to organic manures. Their composition, properties and residual effects: Advanced study of fertilizer use for maximization of crop yield. Losses of fertilizer elements in field and recovery by field crops: Single fertilizers and their compatibility: factors affecting type, time and method of fertilizer application, soil testing, objective, methods and interpretation. Use of lime in acid soils, green manuring, foliar application of fertilizer, unit value of fertilizer elements and compound fertilizers Fertilizer and efficient use of water, adaptation of crops to mineral stress AI and Mn toxicities in acid soils and Fe and B toxicities in saline soils. Practical: Identification ~f fertilizers, formulation of fertilizers for various uses, methods of manure and fertilizer applications, and calculation of unit cost of fertilizer ingredient(s).                                                                                                                    2 units

 

CSC 722         Advanced Farming and Cropping Systems

Concepts of farming and cropping systems, Criteria for classifying farming and cropping systems: forms of farming and cropping systems (e.g. traditional farming systems in the tropics, sole/mono cropping, intercropping, agro-forestry, etc. types of intercropping systems, such as competition and complementarities in mixtures, assessment of intercropping systems, management of crops in mixtures with references to fertilizer requirements of component crops, component densities” insects, diseases and weeds management in mixtures): examples of cropping systems include shifting cultivation, crop ration, cropping patterns, mono-cropping, sole cropping, mixed cropping etc.), types of intercropping, row, strip and relay, advantages and disadvantages, assessment of intercropping by land equivalent ratio, area x time equivalent ratio, statistical designs and analyses in intercropping research                                                2 units

 

CSC 723         Advanced Agronomy

Development from primitive food sourcing to shifting cultivation to settled and lings intensity farming, Bioterrorism-allelopathy, Agro-biotechnology -tissue culture, genetically modified crops (GMOs), methods of weed control, plant and animal interaction, urban farming and peri-urban farming, organic farming, fertigation, climatic change and crop adaptation, methods of crop propagations- molecular, artificial and natural survey of current literature on modern crop production.                                                                                                                        2 units

 

CSC 724         Advanced Breeding for Host Plant Resistance to Pests

Aims and procedures for improvement. Genetic basis for selection. Breeding systems. Concepts of heterosis and heritability. Conventional strategies for improvement of quantitative inheritance and evidence in support, inbreeding, out-breeding and vegetatively propagated crops. Specialized techniques, polyploidy, hybridization, and mutation breeding, chromosome addition and substituition, lines breeding for disease resistance. Multiplication, evaluation, registration and maintenance of improved varieties. Breeder rights. Biotechnology applied in crop improvement; crop genetic transformation                                                                                                2 units

 

 

CSC 725         Advanced Seed Science and Technology

The biology of generative seed quality, techniques of sowing, seed sampling rules with focus on pure seeds, inert seeds, seeds of their plants and analytical procedures. Seed moisture determination, seed weight, diseases and pests of seeds, seed production, breeder seeds, farmers seeds and seed testing. Challenges of seed storage in tropical ecosystem, indigenous and improved storage, field processing, drying and storage techniques, seed health monitoring, seed viability for cereals, legumes and tuber moderation of environmental factors, energy resources in seed storage.                                                                                                               2 units

 

 

CSC 726:        Pasture Ecosystem

pasture dynamics; light relations; water and nutrient relations, nitrogen fixation and sward dynamics; seasonal growth periodicity, plant species adaptations, succession; pasture – animal relations.                                                                                                          2 units

 

 

CSC 727         Advanced Organically Produced Tropical Crops

Definition of organically produced crops, its significance to health and environment, Recent trends in organically produced crops, organic/inorganic manures impact on environment, organic manure practices, product quality assurance, bio-safety certification, production packages for selected specialized crops (fruits, vegetables, ornamentals, legumes and oil seeds) marketing of organically produced crops, environmental impact assessment – air, water, soil, vegetations, etc., soil organic matter sources, properties, maintenance and roles in plant nutrition, soil, and biological life.                                                                                                      2 units

 

CSC 728:        Pasture Improvement and Rangeland Management

Pasture Rejuvenation; Renovation; seeding into the sod; broadcast seeding; limited tillage; fertilizing pastures; nutrient cycling; soil tests; impact of grazing animals, on pasture fertility; weed control, trampling effects; using livestock to renovate pastured.                       2 units

 

CSC 729:        Agronomy of Grass/Legume

Choice of species; establishment of mixtures; yield assessment in grass/legume mixed swards; quality evaluation; nitrogen cycle and sources in grasslands                                            2 units

 

CSC 731:        Toxicological Problems in Range and Sown Pastures

Life threatening illnesses – acidosis (Lactic acid poisoning); Grass Tetany; Nitrate – Nitrite Poisoning; Bloat; Prussic Acid Poisoning; Non-life threatening illnesses, mineral deficiencies, management options for prevention                                                                                      3 units

 

 

CSC 732         Advances in Biochemistry of Herbicide action

Effect of herbicides on plant growth, morphologenesis, plant composition, metabolism, endogen regulator systems, biophysical and biochemical processes. Mechanism of herbicide action. Basis of herbicide selectivity and fundamental approaches to the design of herbicides.                         2 units

 

CSC 733         Advanced lnsect vectors of Plant Pathogens/insect Pathology

Study of insects transmission of plant pathogens, interaction of plants, pathogen and vectors, and environmental influence. Infections and non-infections diseases of insects and factors predisposing insects to infection. Characterization of major groups of insects pathogens. Infection process, pathogensis and host responses. Practical application of pathogens in suppression of agricultural pests.                                                                                    2 units

 

CSC 734         Advance Crop Pests Management

Pest management concepts, ecological aspects of pest management. Computer simulation/ modeling and systems approach. Tactical strategies and policy models, statistical, analytical management and expert systems models. Decision making behavior, tools and techniques. Linear programming, goals, decisions trees, Dynamic programming, current approaches to the development of pest management programme. Monitoring strategies and forecasting.      2 units

 

CSC 735         Advanced Techniques in Seed Pathology

Historical development and economic significance of seed pathology. Diseases and injuries of seeds. Storage and seed-borne fungi and their impact on animal and human health. Transmission of seed-borne pathogen, seed-borne inoculums and its correlation with extent of transmission, intensity of disease and relation to yield reduction. Disease tolerance limits. Control of seed-borne pathogens. Methods of detection and study of transmission of seed-borne pathogens, ecological relationship of seed-borne pathogen, ELISA for the detection of seed-borne bacteria and viruses.                                                                                                                                    2 units

 

 

CSC 736         Advanced Plant Nematology

Recent advances in Nematology and nematode transmission of plant diseases. Nematode population dynamics and environmental factors influencing nematode populations. Host plant -nematode interactions. Nematode pathogen’s interactions. Nematodes associated with major crops in Nigeria and modern control measures.                                                      2 units

 

CSC 737         Advanced Mycology

Mushrooms (pluerotus, agaric us), taxonomy, variability and physiological specialization of fungal plant pathogens, causes of variability, fungal nutrition, and parasitism (its nature, origin, and evolution). Types of obligate and facultative parasitism, fungal diseases of crops, isolation and identification of antibiotic producing fungus.                                                          2 units

 

 

 

 

CSC 738         Recent Advances in Plant Virology

A review of modern approaches in virology study and research, an appraisal of different viruses found in Nigerian crops, their nature, identification and replication; Ecology of viruses and human interference with viruses, environmental factors predisposing plant viral epidemics; forecasting and management planning to checkmate viral epidemics.                               2 units

 

CSC 739         Recent Advance in plant Disease Epidemiology

A review of recent developments in pant disease epidemiology, development of disease and monitoring epidemics, disease assessment procedures; designing Held experiments, sampling in epidemiological studies, modeling and data analysis, area under the disease progress curve, statistical comparison of disease progress curves and descriptive parameters; repeated measures of comparison, spatial aspects of plant disease epidemics, forecasting plant diseases epidemics, management of plant disease epidemics; phytosanitary regulations etc, future trends in epidemics monitoring and control.                                                                                                         2 units

 

CSC 741         Tropical Floriculture and Landscape Management

Principles of floriculture and landscape gardening, history, importance and use of gardens, development and management of urban greeneries with application of forestry, floriculture, olericulture, orchids, horticulture and urban planning concepts to establish a healthy and functional environment, utilization of open space to create a balance between trees and other man – made surroundings through urban forestry, parks and gardens which include aspects on culture’ planning and design, legal environmental impacts, economic management and administration. Development and management of turf grass (history, classification, uses, soil and water, propagation, establishment, needs, pests and disease control). Influence of climate and environment on growth of turf grass.                                                                                       2 units

 

CSC 742         Tropical Fruits and Vegetables Technology

Ecological distribution of tropical fruits and vegetables, their ongm, classification, genetics, breeding, technical aspects of domestication, fruit propagation and regeneration, rootstock – scion relationships, asexual and sexual techniques, problems and challenges, self and non – compatibility in orchard crops, seed dormancy management, commercial vegetable production, science technology, manipulation of cultural techniques, minor and major nutrient relationships, organic matter use, sustainable soil management systems, orchard/intensive vegetable management systems, nutrition, water quality/irrigation, protection, flowering and fruiting patterns, growth regulators, fruit/vegetable harvest, maturity indices, handling, processing, packaging, utilization and marketing.                                                                                             2 units

 

 

CSC 743         Advanced Insect Transmission of Plant Diseases

The feeding and breeding habits of insects in relation to transmission of plant diseases. Insect mouth parts and salivary glands, concepts and kinds ofsymbiosis between insects and micro-organisms (Ecto and Endo symbiosis), nature of diseases caused by toxigenic and toxiniferous insects, “phyto-tozacmias” or toxicoses” compared with virus diseases; insect galls and gall causing insect, morphology of galls (ambrosia galls, gall producing stimulus, histology of galls). Insect -plant relationships with reference to host plant -resistance and related factors, problems and research techniques involved in developing insect resistant.                          2 units

 

CSC 744          Advances in Horticultural Crop Production Systems

Review of general horticultural production systems, traditional, subsistence, home garden, commercial, urban and semi – urban and intensive systems, management, resource availability, allocation, technology, labour, focus, challenges.’ manipulation of cultural techniques, minor and major nutrients relationships, water quality and irrigation, value addition, biosafety, nutrient deficiencies and remedies, quality control, conservation, processing, packaging, marketing strategies, sustainable soil management systems, organic matter.                                                2 units

 

CSC 746. Advanced Crop Ecology                                                                                   2 units

 

CSC 751         Advanced Field Crop Physiology

Review of recent advances in field crop physiology. Recent advances on effects of environmental factors that affect dry matter production, growth and development. Advances in growth analysis, Application and use of growth regulators, potential productivity of existing crop and model crops, methods of studying photosynthesis (carbon assimilation), respiration and transpiration, solution culture techniques (hydroponic), Challenges of seed storage in tropical ecosystem, Indigenous and improved storage systems, Field processing, drying and storage techniques, seed health monitoring and viability of cereals, legumes and tubers in storage. Moderation of environmental factors, energy resources in seed storage.                                2 units

 

 

CSC 753         Advanced Post Harvest Physiology of Horticultural Crops

Concepts of post harvest physiology, respiratory factors, genetic and environmental processes, temperature, air, humidity, factors, enzymes, hormones, cultural and handling factors, processes of biodegradation and spoilage, packing. Handling, storage and conservation strategies: mechanical, refrigeration, liquid nitrogen and gas storage, moisture control, heat respiration quotient and climacteric. A review of recent advances in post harvest physiology of tropical horticultural plants.                                                                                                                2 units

 

CSC 755         Advanced Physiology of Parasitism (Host-Plant Relationship)

Recent advances in physiology of parasitism in crop/plants (field crops and permanent crops), Physiology of diseased plants and the nature ‘of host-parasite interaction, Bacteria/fungi entry into plants, Infection process, degradation of host-plant walls, Toxins associated with necrosis, alterations in plant growth patterns, substances involved in vascular wilts, alterations in diseased plants, different types of disease resistance                                                                               2 units

 

CSC 757         Environmental Crop Physiology

Review of photosynthesis in crop physiology: physiological basis of crop weed biological engineering specific environmental factor (light, water, soil, etc) cultural manipulations of crop geometry, fertilization types, rates/techniques, pollution recommendation, integrated pest management, growth regulators, maturity and harvest patterns, crop ideotypes in cereals, legumes, tubers, fiber and oil crops production and sustainability indicators and models. Techniques in crop physiology, sand and water cultures, control and measurement of environmental factors affecting crop growth. Chromatography and bioassay, chemical and tissue analysis.                                                                                                                                   2 units

 

   CSC 761    Advance in Biotechnology

Recent advances in the field of biotechnology with emphasis on improving crop yields, crop adaptability, pest and diseases management’ adv aced tissue culture techniques, its advantages over traditional breeding, methods gene cloning and sequencing, Nucleic acids, protein biosynthesis and control of protein specifically through genetic coding, concept of open repression and induction recombinant DNA technology, use of molecular, markers and safety concerns, type and role of biotechnology, Genetically modified Organisms (OMOs).           2 units

 

CSC 762 Advanced Crop Biotechnology

Chromosome structure and functions, qualitative and quantitative changes in chromosome, chromosome pairing rules. Gene location on chromosomes; linkages, crossing over and genetic maps. Chromosomes maps. Gene amplification and molecular genetic mapping, PCR, RFLPs, RAPDs, DNA finger printing, micro-satellite, etc.                                                                2 units

 

 

 

CSC 764         Biotechnological Approach to Pest Management  

Concepts and scope, recombination DNA technology, methods in biotechnology -protein based and nucleic acid- based methods, Tissue culture, gene clouing and sequencing, molecular markers, goals/ benefits of genetically modified plants, Bioethics and Biosafety. Application of biotechnology in plant mycology, bacteriology, Nematology, virology and Agricultural entomology.                                                                                                                                     2 units

 

 

CSC 781         Seminar

Students in consultation with the supervisors should present a scheduled Departmental postgraduate seminar on current and relevant topics. The entre Departmental postgraduate lecturers should endeavour to attend and grade the seminar.                                   2 units

 

CSC 792         Thesis            

Research is carried out in the area of specialization under a supervisor or supervisors and submission of bound copies to be corrected for external examination.                   16 units