CSP 316 – Crop Ecology
COURSE PARTICULARS
Course Code: CSP 316
Course Title: Crop Ecology
No. of Units: 2
Course Duration: One hour of theory and two hours of practical per week for 15 weeks.
Status: Compulsory
Course Email Address: [email protected]
Prerequisite: NIL
COURSE INSTRUCTORS
Professor M.A.K Smith
Room 107, 1st Floor, SAAT Building,
Dept. of Crop, Soil & Pest Management,
The Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria.
Phone: +234 803 400 6729
Email: [email protected]
COURSE DESCRIPTION
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.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this course are to:
 facilitate the understanding of the students of the effects of ecological factors (rainfall,
soil, temperature, solar radiation, vegetation, etc.) on crop production, with emphasis on
the major ecological zones in West Africa;
 provide information on the practical growth, yield and population responses of crops to
ecological factors and disequilibrium in their growth environment.
COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES / COMPETENCIES
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
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(Knowledge based)
 understand the primary factors used in differentiating ecologies;
 identify the roles of ecological factors in crop production;
 understand the composition and functions of the ecosystem, with emphasis on population
growth and regulation, and evolutionary strategies in plant communities.
(Skills)


identify the major ecological zones in West Africa based on rainfall distribution,
vegetation features, agricultural activities, crop distribution and predominant weed flora;
adopt recommended measures for mitigating environmental resistance (harsh crop
environment) for enhanced crop productivity and yields.
COURSE ASSESSMENT
Students will be assessed as follows:
Class Attendance
5%
Assignment(s)
10%
Test(s)
25%
Final Examination
60%
TOTAL
100%
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
Attendance: It is expected that every student will be in class for lectures and also participate in
all practical exercises. Attendance records will be kept and used to determine each person’s
qualification to sit for the final examination. In case of illness or other unavoidable cause of
absence, the student must communicate as soon as possible with any of the instructors, indicating
the reason for the absence.
Academic Integrity: Violations of academic integrity, including dishonesty in assignments,
examinations, or other academic performances are prohibited. Students are not allowed to make
copies of other students’ work and submit it as his/her own; that is plagiarism. All cases of
academic dishonesty will be reported to the University Management for appropriate sanctions in
accordance with the guidelines for handling students’ misconduct as spelt out in the Students’
Handbook.
Assignments and Group Work: Students are expected to submit assignments as scheduled.
Failure to submit an assignment as at when due will earn the student zero for that assignment.
Only under extenuating circumstances, for which a student has notified any of the instructors in
advance, will late submission of assignments be permitted.
Code of Conduct in Lecture Rooms and Laboratories: Students should turn off their cell phones
during lectures. Students are prohibited from engaging in other activities (such as texting,
watching videos, etc.) during lectures. Food and drinks are not permitted in the laboratories.
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READING LIST
1
Agboola, S.A. (1979). An Agricultural Atlas of Nigeria. University Press, Ibadan, Nigeria. 248
p.
1
Chang-Hung Chou (1990). The Role of Allelopathy in Agroecosystems. Studies from Tropical
Taiwan. pp 105-121, In: Stephen, R. Gliessman (ed.). Agroecology. Researching the Ecological
Basis for Sustainable Agriculture. Ecological Studies 78, Springer-Verlag Inc.
3
Connell, J.H. and Slayter, R.O. (1977). Mechanisms of succession in natural communities and
their role in community stability and organisation. The American Naturalist 111(982): 1119-44.
3
Crawley, M.J. (ed.) (1986). Plant Ecology. Blackwell Scientific Publications, Inc. 496 p.
3
Wikipedia.
Legend
1- Available in the University Library
2- Available in Departmental/School Libraries
3- Available on the Internet.
4- Available as Personal Collection
5- Available in local bookshops.
Week
Topic
1
Introduction and Course Overview
2, 3 &4
Ecological factors of Crop Production
5&6
Ecosystem Functioning
7
Plant Population (Introduction)
8&9
Plant Population
10 & 12
Plant Interference
Remarks
During this first class, the
expectation of the students from the
course will be documented.
Enumeration of the major
environmental factors affecting crop
production in West Africa, with
emphasis on Nigeria.
Students will be taken through the
basic ecological terminologies,
community composition and
structure.
The mechanisms and processes of
ecological succession in plant
communities will also be
highlighted.
Students will be taught the basic
principles of population growth.
Enumeration of the factors affecting
population size, especially
environmental resistance.
Students will be taken through the
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basic principles, mechanisms, types
and evolutionary strategies of plants
for competition.
13 & 14
Major Ecological Zones in Nigeria (Introduction)
Identification of the major factors
guiding the ecological classification
of vegetation zones, especially
rainfall intensity and annual
distribution.
Students will also be taken through
ecological differentiation of Nigerian
vegetation types based on rainfall
distribution, agricultural activities,
crop distribution, forestry and weed
flora.
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Revision
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