AGRICULTURAL PLANT TAXONOMY (SBA 3300) [45 LH]
PURPOSE OF THE COURSE
To enable learners acquire the information and knowledge necessary for classification and identification of plants and crops.
EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of the course, the learner should be able to:
- Distinguish the different groups of non-flowering plants and to explain their evolution and economic importance.
- Perform the basic techniques of plant collection and identification including morphological terminology.
- Characterize and identify the major families of plants and their economic importance, common genera/species and identify local species in the field.
- Identify and describe plants of agricultural importance.
COURSE CONTENT
History of plant taxonomy and development of taxonomic units. Nomenclature artificial and natural classification, taxonomic characters. Intra-specific variations. Pollination and mechanisms that favor out breeding in angiosperms. Dichotomous key and its use. Flora of East Africa: gymnosperms and angiosperms. Economic importance of selected families. Modern approaches to plant taxonomy, pollination and dispersal mechanisms in angiosperms.