CSP

This course deals with origin; distribution; taxonomy; botany; ecology and methods of cultivation, harvesting, processing, storage marketing and use of major tuber and fibre of Nigeria (West Africa). Crops of interest are –yams, cocoyam, cassava, potatoes, ginger, cotton, sisal, jute, kenaf, kapok and abaca.

Need for soil conservation practices. Effects of deforestation, soil problems affecting crop production, methods of land clearing and the effect of bush burning. Tillage implements, soil tillage and tillage techniques; effects of tillage methods on soil and crop. Soil structure formation and improvement, structure deformation and measures to prevent it. Maintenance and improvement of soil fertility through natural and artificial processes. Irrigation methods, drainage methods, erosion control. Application of Global Positioning System (GPS). In topographical mapping. Field trip. Prerequisite to CSP 407&509.

Principal life processes of higher plants – Plant-water relations, mineral absorption, translocation and utilization, photosynthesis and respiration. Agricultural and ecological significance of life processes.

This course is both an introduction to plant pathology as well as detailed study of the biology of fungi and bacteria in relation to their pathogenic activities on agricultural crops. It introduces the basic terms and concepts in plant pathology. It also equips the students with the necessary skills required in the identification of symptoms associated with common plant pathogenic fungi and bacteria and in the isolation of such pathogenic organisms from infected plants. The role of the host plant, the environment and the pathogens in disease development are also discussed. It is the first course in phytopathology and is a prerequisite to other pathology courses in the department.

This course is an exploratory, first course in weed science designed primarily for students in Crop Science. It also meets the need of students in other agriculturally related fields, as a beginner course that provides both theoretical and practical rudimentary knowledge in weed biology. As a practical course, students are made to prepare weed album to help them identify major tropical weeds and to classify them according to morphology. Weed seeds are also identified both on the field and in the laboratory, and information on their basic features and modes of dispersal are gathered. The focus of the course is to make student understand the weed concept; its importance in agriculture; classification of weeds; survival and persistence characteristics; reproduction and seed features; weed succession; weed-crop association as well as weed reproduction and growth studies. The knowledge of the importance of weed biology will help students to understand the basic principles of weed control, while the knowledge of weed genomics is meant to prepare them towards the application of biotechnology in weed management.

This is a course in the pest management option designed for students in their third year in the Department of Crop, Soil and Pest Management. This course expose students to architectural plan of various arthropods with particular interest in the hexapoda. This course also take the students through detailed external structure of insects, the integument and the tagmosis. It will also consider the various internal structures and systems of the insects in relation to their functions. The practical aspect of the course will expose students to procedures in dissection of insect parts and its preservation.

It is reported that half of the grazing animals are in the middle belt of Nigeria. These animals are supported by the abundant supply of grasses found in this aforementioned part of the country. This course covers: The geographical distribution of natural pasture in Nigeria, Adaptation and botany of indigenous and introduced pastures and forage plants. Characteristics and composition of grasses, legumes and shrubs for livestock feeding. Establishment, production and seed multiplication of pasture plants. Utilization and maintenance of pasture fields and fodder crop farms. Grazing systems and managements of pasture. Forage conservation and dry season feeds.

This course deals with origin; distribution; taxonomy; botany; ecology and methods of cultivation of major cereal and legume crops of Nigeria (West Africa). Crops of interest are – maize; rice; guinea corn; wheat; millet; cowpeas; groundnuts and various beans. Others are pigeon peas, bambara nuts, soya beans and the legume covers. Detailed study of the methods of harvesting, processing, storage and the use of the products of each crop forms major part of the teaching of the course.

Principles, practices and techniques in tropical horticulture tools equipment and materials. Landscaping. Origin, distribution, taxonomy, botany, principles of cultivation, harvesting, processing, storage, marketing and use of major fruits, leafy vegetables and ornamental plants of Nigeria.

This course is an exploratory course in pest management, taught as a follow up course to CSP 319 – weed Biology, which introduces the students to the weed concept and factors responsible for weed survival. Weed management is designed to benefit students in the department of Crop, Soil and Pest Management, and it also meets the needs of students in other agriculture related fields, as it is meant to provide students with both theoretical and practical knowledge in weed management as a major component of Integrated Pest Management. The course focuses on Principles of weed management, general methods of weed control including preventive, cultural, mechanical, biological, chemical, and biotechnological approach to weed management. Classification and chemistry of herbicides, their residual effects on the environment, methods of herbicide use, and safety precautions, and herbicide formulations. All of these are taught to the students in the classroom and relevant practical sessions follow both in the laboratory and on the field.

This course is a core departmental course that introduces students to the importance of nematodes and viruses as disease-causing agents in plants. It is a practical-oriented course. The course is handled by lecturers with vast knowledge and experience in the field of nematology THE FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, AKURE Department of Crop, Soil and Pest Management 2 and virology. The course covers everything from the understanding of the basic features, isolation and identification of plant nematodes and viruses to pathogenesis and procedures for plant disease diagnosis, specifically those incited by nematodes and viruses. Plant virus replication and nematode development/life cycle and plant infection will be discussed as well. The course concludes with a look at ways diseased caused by nematodes and viruses can be more effectively managed to maximize crop productivity.

This course is an exploratory course in the understanding of the ecology of crop production, but complementary to the lower-level course titled “Climatology and Biogeography”, primarily designed for the students of Crop Science. The course focussed on the need for students to identify and define the interrelationships of climate, vegetation characteristics, ecosystem and processes, plant interference and crop growth, development and distribution in Nigeria.

This is a course in the pest management option designed for 300 level students in the Department of Crop, Soil and Pest Management. It is a course that will expose students to insect classification with its importance, various insect orders and their principal features for identification of insects of agriculture and medical importance. Ecological aspect of the course is also adequate to providing basic knowledge of insect population dynamics including factors regulating insect abundance, insect population prediction and monitoring systems. The course also covers important areas such as insect behaviour, communication, phylogeny and arthropod relations. The practical aspect of the course will expose students to procedures of insect collection and preservation while laboratory practical will deal with significant of competition in insect population.