Syllabus
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Course Code: MMB-304 Course Name: Agriculture Microbiology |
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| MODULE NO / UNIT | COURSE SYLLABUS CONTENTS OF MODULE | NOTES |
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| 1 | Soil microbial ecology: Soil biota, types of organisms in different soils; Soil microbial biomass; Factors influencing the soil microflora. Different Agriculturally important beneficial microorganisms – free living, symbiotic (rhizobial, mycorrhizal, actinorhizal), associative and endophytic nitrogen fixers including cyanobacteria . Microbial interactions: Different interfaces of interactions - Plant-microbe, microbe-microbe, soilmicrobe, soil-plant-microbe interactions leading to symbiotic, associative, endophytic and pathogenic interactions ,unculturable soil biota. Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR). Mechanism of plant growth promotion by PGPR. |
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| 2 | Introduction to biofertilizers- definition, types of biofertilizers; Characterstic features of the following biofertilizer organisms: Azospirillium, Azotobacter, Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Rhizobium, Frankia, Anabaena and Nostoc . Mechanisms of action of different bio-inoculants for plant growth. Significance of biofertilizers. Mass scale production and quality control of bio-inoculants. Biofertilizer inoculation and microbial communities in the soil. Biological nitrogen fixation- Biochemistry of N2fixation, nif operon ,mechanism of nitrogen fixation. Symbiotic nitrogen fixation: Rhizobium-Legume association, Actinorhizal associations, contribution of symbiotic nitrogen fixation. Denitrification. Phosphate solubilization and mobilization. Mycorrhizae- Ecto and endomycorrhizae, VAM and their importance in agriculture. |
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| 3 | Microbial transformations of nitrogen, phosphorus, sulphur, iron and manganese in soil. Biochemical composition and biodegradation of soil organic matter and crop residues. Biodegradation of pesticides, Organic wastes and their use for production of biogas and manures. Microbial degradation of polymers: lignin, cellulose, hemicelluloses. Factors affecting the degradation of organic matter. Organic manures: Preparation, properties, and use in crop production, nutrient enriched compost, green manure;Composting, vermicomposting |
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| 4 | Some important plant diseases and their etiological studies: diseases of some important cereals, vegetables and crops. Genetical basis of plant diseases: Genetics of host-pathogen interactions, resistance genes, resistance mechanism in plants, transgenic approach for plant protection. Biocontrol – Concept, types, mode of action, uses and practical constraints & applications of biocontrol agents. Biocontrol agent for sustainable agriculture. Different types of biocontrol agents. Biopesticides and bioherbicides, Biopesticides- classification, advantages. Major biopesticides based on bacteria, viruses & fungi (Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxin, Boverin, DeVine, Collego). |
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