Course

Syllabus

Theory

Introduction to Microbiology: Definition, applied areas of Microbiology and Importance of Microbiology. History of Microbiology: Discovery of microorganisms, spontaneous generation theory, Germ theory of diseases, Immunization, fermentation, and origin of life. Bacteria: cell structure, chemoautotrophy, photo autotrophy, growth. Bacterial genetics: Genetic recombination- transformation, conjugation and transduction, genetic engineering. Soil Microbiology: Nutrient mineralization and transformation, Air Microbiology: Phyllosphere microflora, Phylloplane microflora, microflora of floral parts etc. Food Microbiology: Microbial spoilage and principles of food preservations, Food poisoning. Water Microbiology: Types of water, water microorganisms, and microbial analysis of water e.g. coliform test, Purification of water. Industrial Microbiology: Microbial products, Biodegradation, Biogas production, Biodegradable plastics etc. Biological control: Microbial biopesticides for plant disease management Concepts of rhizosphere microbiology- Rhizodeposits -biochemical nature, release mechanism in rhizosphere, function, Carbon flow in rhizosphere, Rhizosphere microbiome-residents and their roles. Potential of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and endophytes on soil health and sustainability. Bioremediation of polluted soils using microbial mediators. Phytoremediation of polluted soils.

Practical

Study of the microscope; Acquaintance with laboratory material and equipment; Microscopic observation of different groups of microorganisms: moulds (Fungi); Direct staining of bacteria by crystal violet; Negative or indirect staining of bacteria by nigrosin; Gram staining of bacteria; Study of phyllosphere and rhizosphere microflora; Measurement of microorganisms; Preparation of culture media; Isolation and purification of rhizospheric microbes; Isolation and purification of N-fixers; Isolation and purification of Nutrient solubilizers; Isolation and purification of Endophytes.

Objectives

• To introduce microbiology with specific focus on its significance in agriculture science

• To acquaint with the bacterial structure and the function of the different bacterial components

• To highlight different fields of microbiology

• To highlight the bioremediation of polluted soils using microbial mediators and phytoremediation

• To introduce the concept of biological control and the role of biopesticides in plant disease management.

Course Outcome:

Any student who has undergone the course shall be able to:

Suggested Readings

1. Dubey H C. 2007. A Textbook of Fungi, Bacteria and Viruses. Vikas Publishing House Ltd., New Delhi.

2. Mukherjee N and Ghosh T. 2004. Agricultural Microbiology. Kalyani Publishers, Calcutta

3. Pelczar M J, Chan E C S and Kreig N R. 2002. Microbiology. (5th Edn.). Tata McGraw-Hill, New Delhi.

4. Prescott L M. 2002. Microbiology. (5th Edition) McGraw-Hill Inc, US.

5. Rangaswami G and Bagyaraj D J. 2005.Agricultural Microbiology. Prentice-Hall of India Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi.

6. Salyers A A and Whitt D D. 2001. Microbiology: diversity, disease, and the environment. Fitzgerald Science Press, Inc