Postgraduate School
Department of Crop Protection Master of Science in Crop Protection
M.Sc. Crop Protection
| Name | Status and Qualification | Research Interests |
| T. H. Aliyu | Reader & Ag. Head of Department B.Agric., M.Sc., Ph.D. (Ilorin) | Plant Pathology and PlantVirology |
| O. S. Balogun | Professor B.Agric., M.Sc. (Ilorin); Ph.D. (TUAT, Tokyo) | Plant Pathology and PlantVirology |
| A. K. Musa | Professor B.Agric., M.Sc. (Ilorin); Ph.D. (ABU, Zaria) | Agricultural Entomology and Storage Entomology |
| Nkechi B. Izuogu | Reader B.Sc. (ABSU, Okigwe); M.Sc., Ph.D. (Ilorin) | Plant Nematology |
| R. O. Uddin II | Reader B.Agric. (Ilorin); M.Sc. (Ibadan); Ph.D. (Ilorin) | Agricultural Entomology |
| O. Ahmed | Senior Lecturer B.Agric., M.Sc., Ph.D. (Ilorin) | Plant Pathology |
| Oluwatoyin A.Fabiyi | Senior Lecturer B.Agric., M.Sc., Ph.D. (Ilorin) | Plant Nematology |
| O. A. Ojumoola | Lecturer I B. Agric., M.Sc. (Ilorin); Ph.D. (Ibadan) | Agricultural Entomology, Applied Insect Ecology and Insect as Food andFeed |
| Sa‘adat Y. Yusuf | Lecturer I B.Tech. (LAUTECH, Ogbomoso); M.Sc., Ph.D. (Ilorin) | Agricultural Entomology and Storage Entomology |
| Mujidat T. Lawal | Lecturer II B.Sc. (BUK, Kano); M.Sc., Ph.D. (Ilorin) | Agricultural Entomologyand Storage Entomology |
B. Introduction
The programme is to provide advanced training for individuals who wish to pursue careers in research and/or teaching. The programme which comprises theory and practical components is structured to adequately expose students to modern trends in the various disciplines of crop protection. The dissertation offers students a chance to fully explore a topic of choice and to execute meaningful research studies, based on critical analysis of data collected during the course of study.
C. Philosophy
The philosophy of the programme is to develop high-level manpower to pursue careers in academics and research.
D. Aim and Objectives
Objectives:
E. Admission Requirements
Candidates seeking admission into the programme must have the following qualifications from recognised institutions, in addition to satisfying the University Matriculation requirements:
F. Duration of the Programme
G. Detailed Course Description
CPT 801 Graduate Seminar 2 Credits
One seminar is to be delivered by each student on an approved topic in crop protection.90h (P); C
CPT 802 Micro-techniques in Agricultural Research 3 Credits
Specimen preparationStain technology. Theory and use of microscopes, microtomes. Use of equipment in modern cytological research. Photography. Micrograph preparation for journal publication. Slide preparation for seminar presentation. 30h (T); 45h (P); C
CPT 803 Ecological Principles and Methods 3 Credits
Ecological principles and methods: the study of the insect population. Physical and biotic factors affecting the abundance and distribution of insects.30h (T); 45h (P); C
CPT 804 Advanced Pest Management 3 Credits
Effects of farming practices on pest incidence and crop loss. Insect control and reduction of crop loss by chemical and non-chemical methods. Definition and principles of integrated management. Evaluation of insect control programmes. 30h (T); 45h (P); E
CPT 805 Insect Pest of Field and Stored Crops 3 Credits
Important pests of major local crops in the field: storage and control. Factors influencing storage. Storage structures. 30h (T); 45h (P); C
CPT 806 Systematic and Biology of Insects 3 Credits
Study of the systematic of the insects: families of agriculture importance. Preparation of materials for taxonomic study of insects. Use of keys and identification of insects of agricultural importance. 30h (T); 45h (P); C
CPT 807 Insect Morphology and Anatomy 3 Credits
Comparative external and internal anatomy of insects and other arthropods. Evolutionary, development and functional perspectives of the various systems. Detailed laboratory study of the anatomy and histology of insects.30h (T); 45h (P); E
CPT 808 Physiology of Insects and Related Arthropods 3 Credits
General physiology of insects and other arthropods. Hormonal involvement in a physiological process. Integument. Various insect systems. Sensory physiology. Evolution of pheromones and insect behaviour. Use of insects to demonstrate fundamental physiological processes in the laboratory. 30h (T); 45h (P); E
CPT 809 Pesticides and other Pollutants 4 Credits
History of pesticide usage. Pesticide formulation and classification. Structural activities and toxicologies of pesticides. Pathways of pesticide metabolisms. Analytical procedures for pesticide residue and environmental pollutants. 30h (T); 90h (P); E
CPT 810 Plant Nematology 3 Credits
Physiology and anatomy of nematodes. General principles of nematode taxonomy. Host-parasite relations. Economic importance of nematodes and control principles. Viruses and fungi. 30h (T); 45h (P); E
CPT 811 Pathogenic Mycology 3 Credits Toxonomy of fungi. Host-parasites. Relations. Diagnostic techniques for saprophytic and pathogenic fungi. Physiology and biochemistry of pathogenic fungi: toxin, antibiotic and enzyme production. Defence mechanisms against pathogenic fungi in plants. Principles of fungal disease control. 30h (T); 45h (P); E
CPT 812 Plant Virology 3 Credits
Properties of plant viruses and symptoms of diseases in plant. Techniques in isolation. Purification, identification and transmission. Virus replication in plants. Methods of controlling plant virus diseases. Myocoplasma and molicute-like organisms. 30h (T); 45h (P); E
CPT 813 Phytobacteriology 3 Credits
Morphology, physiology and cultural characteristics of plant pathogenic bacteria. Methods of isolation and culture. Classification, production and action of toxins. Control principles.30h (T); 45h (P); C
CPT 814 Plant Disease Control Principles 3 Credits
Natural defence mechanisms. Factors influencing disease incidence, and severity. Control methods. Types and safety of pesticides. Biotechnology and genetic engineering of plant disease control. 30h (T); 45h (P); E
CPT 815 Methods in Plant Pathology Research 3 Credits
Culturing of plant pathogens. Microtomy. Photomicrography: greenhouse experimentation. Inoculation techniques for nematodes: fungi, bacteria and viruses. Sampling and population assessment for pathogens. Gnotobiology.15h (T); 90h (P); C
CPT 816 Seed Pathology 3 Credits
Seeds as carry-over agents for pathogens. Detection and seed treatment methods. Seed deterioration agents in storage. Storage techniques. 30h (T); 45h (P); E
CPT 899 Dissertation 10 Credits
Research on a topic approved by the department 450h (P); C
STA 810 Statistical Methods and Field Experimentation 3 Credits
Initial steps in the planning of experiments. Review of principles of randomization, replication, blocking. Basic designs: CRD, RCBD, Latin squares, Graeco-latin square and cross-over designs. Factorial experiments. Confounding. Fractional replication. Balanced and partially balanced incomplete block designs. Introduction to analysis of variance- bivariate case. Use of the computer for data analysis. 45h (T); C
H. Graduation Requirements
A candidate must have fulfilled the following conditions to be awarded the M.Sc. in Crop Protection degree:
i. Pass a minimum of 36 Credits made up of the following
Core Courses 14 Credits
Elective 12 Credits
Dissertation 10 Credits
Total = 36 Credits
ii. Carried out a research project relevant to the area of specialisation and submitted an acceptable dissertation.
Areas of specialisation in the programme include the following:
| i General Crop Protection ii Entomology iii Phytopathology | |
| General Core Courses | Credits |
| Computer Applications in Agriculture II | 3 |
| Statistical Methods, Design and Analysis of Experiments | 3 |
| Techniques in Agricultural Research | 3 |
| Ecological Principles and methods | 3 |
| Total = | 12 |
| Elective | 12 |
| Dissertation | 10 |
| Seminar | 2 |
| Total = | 36 |
| Possible Electives in Areas of Specialization( a) General Crop Protection | Credits |
| Advanced Pest Management | 3 |
| Pesticides and other Pollutants | 4 |
| Plant Nematology | 3 |
| Plant Virology | 3 |
| Physiology of Insects and Related Arthropods | 3 |
| (b) Entomology Option | Credits |
| Advanced Pest Management | 3 |
| Insect Pests of Field and Stored Crops | 3 |
| Physiology of insects and related arthropods | 3 |
| Insect Morphology and anatomy | 3 |
| Pesticides and other Pollutants | 4 |
| (c) Phytopathology Option | Credits |
| Pesticides and other Pollutants | 4 |
| Plant Nematology | 3 |
| Pathogenic Mycology | 3 |
| Plant Virology | 3 |
| Phytobacteriology | 3 |
| Plant Disease Control Principles | 3 |
| Methods in Plant Pathology Research | 3 |
| Seed Pathology | 3 |
I Summary
i General Crop Protection Option
Core Courses: CPT 801 (2), 802 (3), 803 (3), 817 (3), 899 (10), STA 810 (3) 24 Credits
Elective Courses: CPT 804 (3), 808 (3), 809 (4), 810 (3), 812 (3) 12 Credits Total (C+ E) 36 Credits
ii Entomology Option:
Core Courses: CPT 801 (2), 802 (3), 803 (3), 817 (3), 899 (10), STA 810 (3)24 Credits
Elective Courses: CPT 804 (3), 805 (3), 807 (3), 808 (3), 809 (4) 12 Credits Total (C + E): 36 Credits
iii. Phytopathology Option:
Core Courses: CPT 801 (2), 802 (3), 803 (3), 817 (3), 899 (10) and STA 810 (3) 14 Credits
Elective Courses: CPT 809 (4), 810 (3), 811 (3), 812 (3), 813 (3), 814 (3), 815 (3), 816 (3) 12 Credits
Total (C + E): 36 Credits
© 2025 University of Ilorin