Introduction
The Department of Plant Breeding and Seed Technology (PBST) is one of the five departments in the College of Plant Science and Crop Production (COLPLANT) of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FFUNAAB). Its establishment is in acknowledgement of the pivotal position of Plant Breeding and Seed Production in a developing economy.
The Department offers degree programmes leading to the award of Bachelors, Postgraduate Diploma, Masters and Doctoral degrees. The Department has two basic programmes, namely:
Plant Genetics and Breeding, and
Seed Science and Technology
10.3.2 Philosophy
The academic programme of the Department is in furtherance of the general philosophy and objectives of the University. Our curricular are therefore, built on reinforcing efforts towards increasing food production for sustainability through development of improved breeding lines/varieties and seeds of high agronomic values. Consequently, the Department offers opportunities for formal training at the Undergraduate and Postgraduate levels for the acquisition of basic and higher degrees necessary in these specialized areas of plant breeding and genetics, and seed science.
10.3.3 Objectives of the programmes
The objectives of the Postgraduate programmes in the Department are:
(i) To produce competent plant breeders/geneticists and seed scientists who will take up challenges in the area of research, training and developmental needs in the private sector, academic institutions, and research institutes.
(ii) To develop high level manpower for the increasing scope of activities in the food production sectors of the nation’s economy.
(iii) To produce competent scientists who can utilize their scientific and research orientation to create jobs and exploit science and technology for national food sufficiency and development.
10.3.4 Postgraduate Programmes
The Department offers advanced study and professional training leading to the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph. D), Master of Agriculture (M. Agric) and Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) in the units within the department. The courses are designed to increase students’ aptitude for designing, executing and interpreting research projects relevant to the need of the agricultural sector and the food industry at large.
The following programmes are available:
One year (2 semesters) Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) in Plant Breeding and Seed Science
Two years Masters of Agriculture (M.Agric.) degree in Plant Breeding and Seed Science with specialization in:
Plant Breeding and Genetics
Seed Science and Technology
Three years or more for the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) degree in specialized areas of Plant Breeding and Seed Science and Technology
10.3.5 Departmental Postgraduate Committee.
Membership:
The Departmental Postgraduate Committee consists of all academic staff teaching and examining the postgraduate programme in the Department. This committee is chaired by the Head of Department.
Functions:
(i) To co-ordinate Postgraduate programmes in the Department
(ii) To collaborate with operators of other degree programmes
(iii) To present candidates for admission, award of grants, scholarships and fellowships and the award of higher degrees and graduate diplomas to the College Postgraduate Committee.
(iv) To recommend External Examiners to the College Postgraduate Committee based on the advice of the Supervisory Committee.
10.3.6 General Admission Requirements
(A) Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) programme
Candidates for the Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) programme must be first degree holders, with minimum of 3rd class in relevant discipline i.e. agriculture or related courses from any recognized University. Holders of Higher National Diploma (HND) with Upper Credit plus five years post-qualification experience, holders of HND with Pass Degree plus 10 years cognate experience may also be considered.
(B) Masters in Agriculture (M. Agric.) Degree programme
Candidates for the M. Agric. degree programme must be graduates from any University recognized by Senate of the University, and shall normally have obtained a minimum of:
70% pass mark (for HND) or 60% pass mark (for 3rd class) from PGD programme of the Department or
minimum of second class honours (upper division) degree in any of the following agricultural disciplines: Agronomy, Crop Science, Horticulture or other related disciplines.
(C) Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) degree
Candidates for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree (Ph.D) programme must have obtained a 60% pass mark of the Master’s degree of the Department or its equivalent from any other University recognized by Senate. Holders of one year Master’s degree with average score of 60% and above may be considered on the condition that they shall register for M.Agric/Ph.D in the first instance, and then change over to full Ph.D programme after passing all approved courses as recommended by the department.
10.3.7 General Graduation Requirements
(A) Postgraduate Diploma
To be eligible for the award of a Postgraduate Diploma in the relevant discipline, a candidate must:
(i) Pass all the courses (pass mark for all courses shall be 50%) and total units prescribed for the programme.
(ii) Not spend less than the minimum period nor more than the maximum period stipulated, and
(iii) Pass the project work (the minimum pass mark shall be 50%).
(B) Masters Programme
(i) Pass all the courses (pass mark for all courses shall be 50%) and total units prescribed for the programme.
(ii) Submit a certified and approved hard copy of his/her M. Agric research dissertation.
(C) Doctor of Philosophy Degree
Submit a certified and approved hard copy of his/her Ph.D research thesis.
10.3.8 Duration of Programmes
The Postgraduate Diploma programme which can be field/practical-oriented, shall run on full-time or part-time basis, and shall normally be for a duration of two semesters for full time and four semesters for part-time.
The Masters degree programme shall run on full-time basis. The minimum duration shall normally be for four semesters and maximum of eight semesters.
The Doctor of Philosophy degree programme shall be on full-time or part-time basis. On full-time registration, the minimum duration of the programme shall be six semesters; and eight semesters for part-time registration. However, if the Masters degree was obtained from the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, or its equivalent elsewhere, minimum duration shall be four and six semesters for full-time and part-time candidates respectively.
10.3.9 Postgraduate Courses
(A) Postgraduate Diploma in Plant Breeding and Seed Science
Course Structure
|
Course Title |
Units |
|
Courses |
18 |
|
Field Report Project Report Seminars |
3 3 2
|
|
Total
|
26 |
Postgraduate Diploma Courses
|
Course Code |
Course title |
Abbreviation |
Units |
|
College Core Courses |
|||
|
PCP 701 |
Principle of Crop Production |
PRINCRPP |
4 |
|
PBS 702 |
Design and Statistical Analysis of Experimets |
DSTAEXPT |
3 |
|
|
Computer Application in Agriculture I |
CAPAGRICI |
2 |
|
Departmental Courses |
|||
|
PBS 701 |
Fundamentals of Genetics |
FUNDGENT |
3 |
|
PBS 703 |
Seed Biology |
SEEDBIOL |
2 |
|
PBS 705 |
Introduction to Plant Breeding |
INTRPBRD |
3 |
|
PBS 704 |
Varietal Evaluation and Release |
VAEVRLSE |
2 |
|
PBS 706 |
Seed Production Technology in Nigeria |
SEEDPRDN |
3 |
|
PBS 708 |
Field Report |
FIELDRPT |
3 |
|
PBS 797 |
Seminar I |
SEMINARI |
1 |
|
PBS 798 |
Seminar II |
SEMINAII |
1 |
|
PBS 799 |
Project |
PROJECT |
3 |
Master of Agriculture in Plant Breeding or Seed Science and Technology
COURSE STRUCTURE
|
Course Title |
Units |
|
College Courses (compulsory) Core Courses Electives Thesis Research Seminars
|
10 15 6 6 2 |
|
Minimum Total for Award of M.Agric. Degree |
39 |
|
Course Code |
Course title |
Abbreviation |
Unit |
|
Compulsory College Courses for both Options |
|||
|
PBS 803 |
Biostatistics |
BIOSSTAT |
3 |
|
SOS 815 |
Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrition |
SOILFERT |
3 |
|
CSC 801 |
Use of Computer in Research |
USEOCOMP |
4 |
M. Agric in Plant Breeding
First Semester
|
Course Code |
Course title |
Abbreviation |
Unit |
|
Core/Compulsory Courses |
|||
|
PBS 801 |
Biometrical Genetics I |
BIOMGEN I |
3 |
|
PBS 805 |
Physiological Genetics |
PHYSGENE |
3 |
Second Semester
|
Course Code |
Course title |
Abbreviation |
Unit |
|
Core/Compulsory Courses |
|||
|
PBS 802 |
Biometrical Genetics II |
BIOMGENII |
3 |
|
PBS 804 |
Advanced Plant Breeding |
APLTBREE |
3 |
|
PBS 806 |
Crop Taxonomy |
CROPTAXO |
3 |
Electives
|
Course Code |
Course title |
Abbreviation |
Unit |
|
|
Advanced Cytogenetics |
|
|
|
|
Plant Biotechnology |
|
|
|
|
Plant Genetic Resources Conservation |
|
|
|
PBS 817 |
Genetic Engineering & In-vitro Culture |
GEENGINC |
3 |
|
PBS 811 |
Seed Production |
SEEDPROD |
3 |
|
PBS 813 |
Seed Storage |
SEEDSTOR |
3 |
M. Agric. in Seed Science and Technology
First Semester
|
Course Code |
Course title |
Abbreviation |
Unit |
|
Core/Compulsory Courses |
|||
|
PBS 811 |
Seed Production |
SEEDPROD |
3 |
|
PBS 813 |
Seed Storage |
SEEDSTOR |
3 |
Second Semester
|
Course Code |
Course title |
Abbreviation |
Unit |
|
Core/Compulsory Courses |
|||
|
PBS 810 |
Seed Processing and Handling |
SEEDPROC |
3 |
|
PBS 812 |
Seed Certification |
SEEDCERT |
3 |
|
PBS 814 |
Seed Biology |
SEEDBIOL |
3 |
Electives
|
Course Code |
Course title |
Abbreviation |
Unit |
|
|
Seed Analysis and Testing |
|
|
|
|
Seed Technology |
|
|
|
ZOO 827 |
Stored Products Entomology |
PRSPENTO |
3 |
|
PBS 804 |
Advanced Plant Breeding |
APLTBREE |
3 |
New Postgraduate Areas of Specialization
Postgraduate degrees offered in the Department are basically in the areas of Plant Breeding and Seed Technology. However, new areas of specialization have emerged under the two options stated below:
M.Agric/Ph.D (Plant Breeding)
M.Agric/Ph.D (Seed Technology)
For M. Agric. in Plant Breeding, the new area of interest is Plant Biotechnology while Seed Pathology is the new area of interest in M. Agric. Seed Technology.
Structure and Units
Structure and units are the same for the two options (a) and (b) above. While the same College courses would be offered by all, different courses are mounted to reflect the new areas of interest and make them adequate in their chosen areas of specialization, as reflected below:
Structure
|
COURSE TITLE |
UNITS |
|
College Courses (Compulsory) |
10 |
|
Core Courses |
15 |
|
Electives |
6 |
|
Thesis Research |
6 |
|
Seminars |
2 |
|
Minimum Total for the Award of M.Agric Degree |
19 |
COURSE UNITS M.Agric (Seed Technology) Pathology Area
Compulsory College Courses
|
Course Code |
Course title |
Abbreviation |
Unit |
|
PBS 803 |
Biostatistics |
BIOSSTAT |
3 |
|
SOS 815 |
Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrition |
SOILFERT |
3 |
|
CSC 801 |
Use of Computer in Research |
USEOCOMP |
4 |
Core Courses for M. Agric in Seed Technology (Pathology Area)
|
Course Code |
Course title |
Abbreviation |
Unit |
|
PBS 807 |
Fundamentals of Seed Pathology |
FUNDSEPA |
3 |
|
PBS 808 |
Experimental Techniques in Seed Pathology |
EXPSEEPA |
3 |
|
PBS 809 |
Mycotoxins in Seed Health |
MYCSEEHE |
3 |
|
PBS 813 |
Seed Storage |
SEEDSTOR |
3 |
|
PBS 816 |
Epidemiology of Seed Disease |
EPISEEDI |
3 |
Core Courses For M. Agric Plant Breeding (Biotechnology Area)
|
Course Code |
Course title |
Abbreviation |
Unit |
|
HRT 809 |
Introductory Biotechnology |
INTROBIO |
3 |
|
PBS 804 |
Advanced Plant Breeding |
APLTBREE |
3 |
|
PBS 817 |
Genetic Engineering and In-vitro Culture |
GEENGINC |
3 |
|
PBS 818 |
Molecular Genetics and Cytogenetics |
MOLEGECY |
3 |
|
PBS 820 |
Instrumentation |
INSTRUME |
3 |
Electives for M. Agric in Seed Pathology (option)
Any of the core courses listed for M. Agric in Seed Technology proper e.g. PBS 804: Advanced Plant Breeding PBS 806: Crop Taxonomy
Ph.D in Plant Breeding or Seed Science and Technology
Course Structure
There may be course work, which will vary depending on the background of the candidate but would contain the relevant courses that have not been taken at M.Sc. degree level and in some cases may include courses in related basic sciences.
10.3.10 Course Synopsis
Postgraduate Diploma in Plant Breeding and Seed Science.
PBS 701: Fundamentals of Genetics (3 Units)
Cell division – Mitosis and Meitosis. Pattern of inheritance, historical theories of the organ of life. Gregor Mendel and the Laws of genetics. Prediction of offspring by using Laws of probabilities, Chemical basis of heredity. Genetic code. Gene actions and interaction –Pleiotropism, complementary gene action, gene frequencies; Hard-Weinberg Laws. Cytogenetics – Types of Ploidy.
PBS 702: Design and Statistical Analysis of Experiments (3 Units)
Notations in statistics; measures of central tendencies – standard deviation, variance, standard error. Coefficient of variation, etc; Introduction to statistical inference and testing of hypothesis: Chi-square (χ2); Principles of Biological experimentation – definition of terminologies: Experimental designs – Completely Randomised Design (CRD), Randomised Complete Block design (RCBD), Latin square, Factorial experiments, split-plot design. Correlation and Regression analyses.
PBS 703: Seed Biology (2 Units)
Floral induction and initiation in Plants; Pollination and Fertilisation; seed formation and development, seed germination and the physiological factor affecting germination; seed dormancy.
PBS 704: Varietal Evaluation and Release (2 Units)
Importance of varietal evaluation; Relationship of varietal evaluation with selection. Analysis of multi-location variety data; the role of genotype x environment interaction in selection.
PBS 705: Introduction to Plant Breeding (3 Units)
Reproduction in flowering plants – characteristics of self and cross pollinated crops. Types of self-incompatibility system: hetemorphic, homomorphic gametophic, sporophytic systems; Male sterility – genetic male sterility and cytoplasmic male sterility, breeding problems involving quantitative characters. Role of environment in plant breeding; selection techniques. Breeding of asexually propagated crops.
PBS 706: Seed Production Technology in Nigeria (3 Units)
Agronomy of Seed Production. Climatic and other requirements for seed multiplication. Weeds, importance and control. Crop inspection, techniques of producing varietally pure seed. Controlled seed multiplication. Seed drying. Seed cleaning. Seed storage systems. Seed treatment and packaging.
M.Agric. In Plant Breeding
PBS 801: Biometrical Genetics 1 (3 Units)
Sources of genetics variation, scaling test; joint scaling test using weighted least square; genotype x environment interactions – joint regression analysis; stability models, path analysis and selection models.
PBS 802: Biometrical Genetics II (3 Units)
Biparental progenies, North Carolina I and II, Diallel and Partial diallel analyses. 3-Way and double cross hybrids, Line x tester analysis; classification analysis.
PBS 803: Biostatistics (3 Units)
Matrices and applications, variance and covariance analysis, Nested ANOVA; expected mean square; Fixed and random models; single DF comparison; a review of factorial experiments and split – plot design; Regression Analysis.
PBS 804: Advanced Plant Breeding (3 Units)
Gene action, heritability, inbreeding and heterosis. Response to selection; Selection methods for self-pollinated crops, genotype x environment interaction. Breeding techniques for self-and cross-pollination crops, Conservation of genetic resources.
PBS 805: Physiological Genetics (3 Units)
Plant environment – types of crop response to environment; Growth analysis; methods for detecting varietal differences; photosynethetic efficiency; C3 and C4 plants. Physiological basis of heterosis in plants. Molecular genetics – DNA and RNA, Genetic mode. Chemical taxonomy.
PBS 806: Crop Taxonomy (3 Units)
Angiosperm systematics; procedures for term-preparation of herbarium material, the use of keys on plant taxonomy. The relevance of plant anatomy, genetics, phytochemisty, etc to plant taxonomy. Numerical taxonomy. Chemo-systematics.
M. Agric. (Seed Technology) — Seed Pathology area of interest.
PBS 807: Fundamentals of Seed Pathology – 3 Units
Concept of seed-borne mycoflora. Plant diseases caused by seed-borne pathogens. Seed diseases of major tropical crops. Transmission of seed disease agents. Mode of infection
by seed-borne inoculum. Micro-climate and seed disease development. Seed health, mycotoxins and human health. Control of field and storage diseases of seeds. Integrated pest management approach to seed disease control. Seed health and quarantine programmes.
PBS 808: Experimental Techniques in Seed Pathology – 3 Units
General morphology and taxonomy of seed-borne fungi, bacteria, nematode and viruses. Principles and methods of seed health testing. Modern techniques for detection of seed-borne inoculum. Ecological aspects of seed health testing. Survey of seed diseases, seed-borne diseases and causal agents with reference to taxonomic distinctions.
PBS 809: Mycotoxins in Seed Health – 3 Units
Seed diseases of importance to human/animal health. Mycotoxins; Ochratoxin, Zearalenone, Trichothecenes, Aflatoxin, Deoxynivalenol, Fumonisin B1 etc. Bioassay methods, estimation in seeds and toxicology. Nature of toxigenic organisms. Storage facilities and conditions congenial for mycotoxin development.
PBS 816: Epidemiology of Seed Disease – 3 Units
Assessment of seed disease losses. Sources, transmission and development of seed-borne inoculum. Adaptive features of seed-borne pathogens. Epiphytotics in seed populations. Ecology of seed-borne pathogens. Microclimate effect on seed, pathogen, transmission agent and overall disease development.
M.Agric in Seed Science and Technology
PBS 810: Seed Processing and Handling (3 Units)
Seed processing Principles, Pre-cleaning and conditioning. Basic cleaning Dimensional sizing. Specific gravity separation. Surface texture separation. Air separators. Electronic separators. Miscellaneous cleaning equipment. Commercial seed treatments. Seed handling. Accessories. Design and layout of processing plant.
PBS 811: Seed Production (3 Units)
The seed industry. Essential requisites of a seed Programme. Agronomic and climatic aspects of Seed reproduction. Determinants of seeds quality. Seed multiplication. Production of seed for the farmer, contract seed production. Harvesting and drying. Seed processing certification. Seed legislation, seed marketing, Field Inspection, test for cultivar authenticity.
PBS 812: Seed Certification (3Units)
Brief history, Objectives. Certification authority. Manpower requirements. Elements of Sound Seed Certification programme. Minimum certification standards. Field inspection. Pre and Post harvest control (varietal purity, seed borne disease). Seed quality tests in the laboratory. Summary of certification scheme. Certification of blends, phytosanitary certification.
PBS 813: Seed Storage (3 Units)
Types of seeds. Seed moisture relationships. Life span of seeds. Seed deterioration. Possible causes of seed deterioration. Seed storage, purposes and precepts. Storage pests; storage fungi. Types of storage. Conditioned storage. Seed packaging.
PBS 814: Seed Biology (3 Units)
Plant meristems. Reproductive processes in plants. Floral initiation, Flowering and pollination. Fertilisation, apomixes, the developing ovule. Seed setting and seed development. Chemical composition of seeds. Seed germination. Pattern of germination. Seed structure. Factors affecting seed germination. Dormancy, Seed agronomy (cycle).
10.3.11 Postgraduate Lecturers in Plant Breeding and Seed Technology
|
Name |
Rank |
Qualification |
Specialization |
|
Ojo, D. K. |
Professor |
B.Sc (Ile-Ife), M.Sc (Ibadan), Ph.D (Abeokuta) |
Plant Breeding |
|
Ariyo, O. J. |
Professor |
B.Agric (Nsukka), M.Sc, Ph.D (Ibadan) |
Plant Breeding |
|
Ajala, M. O. |
Professor |
B.Sc (Ile-Ife), M.Sc (Edinburgh), Ph.D (Ibadan) |
Seed Technology |
|
Kehinde, O. B. |
Professor |
B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D (Ibadan) |
Plant Genetics/Breeding |
|
Sowemimo, F. A. |
Professor |
B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D (Zaria) |
Plant Breeding |
|
Akintobi, Dupe C. |
Reader |
B.Sc (Ile-Ife), M.Sc (California), Ph.D (Ibadan) |
Seed Technology |
|
Daniel, I. O. |
Reader |
B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D (Ibadan) |
Seed Technology |
|
Adebisi, M. A. |
Snr. Lecturer |
B.Agric, M.Agric, Ph.D (Abeokuta) |
Seed Technology |
|
Ayo-Vaughan, Monininuola A. |
Snr. Lecturer |
B.Sc (Ile-Ife), M.Sc (Ibadan), Ph.D (Abeokuta) |
Plant Genetics/Breeding |
|
Alake, C. O. |
Lecturer I |
B.Agric (Abeokuta), M.Sc. (Ado-Ekiti), Ph.D (Abeokuta) |
Plant Breeding |
|
Porbeni, J. B.
|
Lecturer II |
B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D (Ibadan) |
Plant Genetics/Breeding |
|
Idehen, E. O. |
Lecturer II |
B.Agric, M.Agric, Ph.D (Abeokuta) |
Plant Breeding |
|
Oduwaye, O. A. |
Lecturer II |
B.Tech (Ogbomosho) M.Agric, Ph.D (Abeokuta) |
Plant Breeding |