Christopher Oni Ayodeji (PhD candidate)

The objectives of the study are to:

1. Assess the presence and determine the effects of microflora on seed-lot qualities of Corchorus olitorius, Celosia argentea and Solanum macrocarpon seeds;
2. Predict the pattern of transmission of associated diseases either by seed or soil borne pathogens during the production cycles of these three vegetable crops;
3. Evaluate the efficacies of metabolites of Trichoderma and Bacillus species in mitigating against seed microflora and field pathogens;
4. Predict the modes of application of Trichoderma and Bacillus species to effectively control microflora and pathogenic infections during production;
5. Determine the effect of storage duration on Trichoderma and Bacillus treated seeds.

Nasirat Akanfe (PhD candidate)

Studies on production of high-quality Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc.) seeds

The objectives of this research will be to:

1. Evaluate selected Nigerian accessions of Bambara groundnut seeds for seed yield and physiological seed quality.
2. Evaluate the effect of abiotic stress (salinity, moisture and temperature) on the germination of Bambara groundnut seeds.
3. Determine the optimal harvest time for high-quality Bambara groundnut seeds; and
4. Investigate the influence of seed maturity on the physiological quality and longevity of Bambara groundnut seeds.

Haruna Isola Aremu 

Is a doctoral student on the Seed Science and Technology programme at OAU. His research is on Seed development and optimization of germination in Celosia argentea L. The specific objectives of this study are to:

1. examine the effect of planting date on seed yield and seed germination characteristics of Celosia argentea accessions;

2. monitor seed quality development and establish the indicators of seed maturity in Celosia argentea accessions;
3. determine the best storage conditions for the longevity of seeds of Celosia argentea accessions;
4. evaluate the response of Celosia argentea seeds to moisture deficit, temperature and salinity stresses.
    

Olawumi Caroline Babarinde

Is enrolled as a Masters student in Plant Breeding at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU). Her study focuses on the phenotypic and genotypic variability of jute mallow (Corchorus olitorius L.) for agronomic, seed yield and seed quality traits. The objectives of the research are to:

1. Evaluate collected jute mallow genotypes for agronomic traits, seed yield and its components;
2. Assess the seed quality traits of the jute mallow genotypes;
3. Characterize the collected genotypes for seed quality, agronomic traits, seed yield and its components; and
4. Determine the association between the agronomic, seed yield, yield components and seed quality traits of the jute mallow genotypes.
    

Jacob Olufunmi Hosu

Is enrolled as a Masters student in Seed Science and Technology programme at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU). He collaborates with Olawumi caroline Babarinde on Corchorus olitorius but his main focus is on the physiological quality of jute mallow (Corchorus olitorius) seeds as influenced by seed maturity stages and storage duration. The objectives of the research are to:

1. evaluate the seed production characteristics of the selected jute mallow accessions;

2. evaluate the influence of seed developmental stages on the seed viability and vigour of selected jute mallow accessions;
3. determine the point of seed physiological maturity in jute mallow seeds;
4. investigate the longevity potential of the jute mallow seeds.

Olajoke Balogun (PhD candidate)

Thesis title: Sustainable quality seed production of climate-resilient African eggplant (Solanum macrocarpon L.)

The specific objectives of the study are to:

1. Investigate the genetic variability for vegetative, yield and seed germination characteristics of the Solanum macrocarpon accessions
2. Evaluate the influence of season of planting on the seed yield and seed physiological quality of selected S. macrocarpon accessions
3. Determine the seed physiological quality of selected S. macrocarpon accessions at different stages of seed maturity
4. Determine the germination stress-tolerance parameters of the selected accessions under moisture, temperature and salinity stresses
5. Assess the adaptable best storage condition to maintain quality of Solanum macrocarpon seeds.
6. Assess the potential for rapid vegetative multiplication of the seedlings.