Syllabus (MICROBIOLOGY)

Course Type: MAJ-17

Semester: 8

Course Code: BMCBMAJ08T

Course Title: AGRICULTURE MICROBIOLOGY

(L-P-Tu): 4-2-0

Credit: 6

Practical/Theory: Combined

Course Objective: 1. To impart in-depth information on soil and agriculture 2. To study the role of microbes in agriculture for sustainable development. 3. To provide an overview on plant microbe interaction.

Learning Outcome: Upon successful completion of the course the candidate will be able to- 1. Gain detailed idea on various micro-organisms, its harmful or beneficial effects on agriculture, how to use them in a safer way for creating a better agriculture system like using as biofertilizer, biopesticide, silage production, plant disease management etc. 2. Acquire practical knowledge in the isolation and characterization of microbes important in agriculture.

MAJOR COURSE 01

COURSE TITLE: AGRICULTURE MICROBIOLOGY (THEORY)

TOTAL HOURS: 60 CREDITS:4

Unit 1. Soil Microbiology and: Microbial transformations of minerals No. of hours: 10

Composition of Lithosphere, soil microbes, factors influencing soil microbial population.

The soil environment-Distribution and abundance, generic groups and nutrition of bacteria, actinomycetes, fungi, algae, protozoa and viruses.

Phosphorous, sulphur, iron and other elements - Chemistry, cycles, mineralization and immobilization and oxidation/reduction

Unit 2.Biological Nitrogen fixation and biofertilizer production No. of hours: 15

Legume-Rhizobium symbiosis, Ammonia assimilation in Nitrogen-Fixing legume nodules, factors controlling the Legume - Rhizobium symbiosis.

Non-Leguminous associations e.gAzotobactersp and Azospirillumsp and their functions, Cyanobacteria (BGA) and their associations in Nitrogen fixation., Phosphate solubilizing microbes. Mycorrhizae and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR).

Role of biofertilizers. Silage production, Quality control (BIS specification), marketing, Evaluation of field performance and economics of production. Role of biofertilizer in integrated nutrient management. Regulation and standards, Marketing and Monitoring field performance.

Unit 3. Plant pathology No. of hours: 20

Introduction to plant pathology: Historical developments in brief, classification of plant diseases, Spread of diseases in general. Stages in development of a disease. Virulence factors of pathogens in disease development. Défense mechanisms in plants- structural and biochemical.

Plant diseases: Study of symptoms, aetiology, epidemiology and management of diseases caused by fungi (Tikka disease of groundnut, Downy mildew of grapes, Red rot of sugarcane), bacteria (Citrus canker, blight of rice), viruses (Bunchy top of banana, Papaya ring spot) and viroid (Potato spindle tuber disease).

Unit 4. Biological control and GM cropsNo. of hours: 15

Concept of Biopesticides – Viral (NPV, CPV & GV), bacterial (Bacillus thuringiensis, Bacillus popilliae&Pseudomonas sp.), Fungal (Entomophthora muscae, Beauveria sp., Metarrhiziumsp. &Verticillium sp.), Protozoan (Mattesia sp., Nosema sp., Octosporamuscaedomesticae&Lambornella sp.).

GM crops-advantages, social and environmental aspects of Bt crops.

SUGGESTED READINGS

1. Gupta, S.K.2014 Approaches and trends in plant disease management. Scientific publishers, Jodhpur, India.
2. Jamaluddin et al 2013 Microbes and sustainable plant productivity. Scientific Publishers Jodhpur, India. G
3. Subba Rao, N. S. 1997. Biofertilizers in Agriculture and Forestry, III Ed., Oxford & IBH Publishing Co.Pvt.Ltd., New Delhi.
4. Subba Rao, N. S. 1995. Soil microorganisms and plant growth. Oxford & IBH Publishing Co.Pvt.Ltd. New Delhi.
5. Martin Alexander 1983. Introduction to Soil Microbiology, Wiley eastern Ltd., New Delhi.
6. Newton, W.E and Orme, Johnson, W.H.1980. Nitrogen fixation vol II: Symbiotic Associations and Cyanobacteria. University Park Press Baltimore, USA.
7. Wheeler, B. E. 1976. An Introduction to Plant Disease. ELBS and John Wiley and Sons, Ltd.
8. Dubey, R.C and Maheswari, D.K. 2002. Practical Microbiology, 1st Ed., Chand and Company Ltd., India.

COURSE TITLE:AGRICULTURE MICROBIOLGY (PRACTICAL)

TOTAL HOURS: 60 CREDITS:2

1. Demonstration of Winogardsky coloumn.
2. Isolation of beneficial microbes from the soil.
3. Study the growth response of crops due to biofertilizer application.
4. Study on plant pathogens: Observation of plant diseases of local importance - Citrus canker, Tikka disease of Groundnut, Bhendi yellow vein mosaic, Rusts, Smuts, Powdery mildews, Tomato leaf curl.
5. Demonstration of Acetylene reduction assay to evaluate nitrogenase activity