Syllabus

 NEP Syllabus from 2023-24 onwards

MJD 12                          AGRICULTURAL MICROBIOLOGY              (3+1 credits)

Course Objectives:

A microbiological application oriented paper added with objectives (i) to appreciate the wealth of soil microbiota (ii) to appreciate the role of biochemical cycling of nutrients (iii) to know about the importance of biofertilizers and biopesticides.

Unit-I

Introduction to agriculturally important microorganisms – bacteria (cyanobacteria and actinobacteria), algae, fungi, protozoans, nematodes and viruses –Role of microbes in soil fertility.

Unit-II

Microbial associations in phytosphere: rhizosphere – phyllosphere – spermosphere. Mycorrhiza – types and importance to agriculture – organic matter decomposition – humus formation.

Unit-III

Biofertilizers – definition, importance – types and their application methods – Steps in mass production of bacterial biofertilizers – quality guidelines for biofertilizers. 

Unit-IV

Mass production of blue green algae, Azolla and mycorrhiza. Importance of liquid inoculants in crop production. Plant response to biofertilizers application. 

Unit-V

Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria – Biological control of phytopathogens – Mechanism of control – Trichoderma sp. and Pseudomonas fluorescens as biocontrol agents – Disease suppressive soils – Biopesticide and their importance: Bacterial, fungal and viral.

Unit -VI                                                                                                                                                                                                              30 hours

Practical: Isolation of bacteria, fungi and actinobacteria from soils – Isolation of nitrogen fixing bacteria from root nodules of legumes –Enumeration of rhizosphere to non rhizosphere population of bacteria – Isolation of antagonistic Pseudomonas from soil – Microscopic observations of root colonization by VAM fungi – Isolation of Azospirillum sp. from the roots of grasses – Isolation of phyllosphere microflora –Isolation of P solubilizing microorganisms – Observation of Anabaena from Azolla plants – Demonstration on different biofertilizers types, formulation and application methods.

Course Outcome:

Upon successful completion of the course the candidate will 

• understand the diverse groups of microorganisms in soil and its role in soil fertility. 

• gain knowledge on the microbial association and biogeochemical cycles. 

• understand the role of biofertilizers and biopesticides and their importance.

References

1. Gentry T.J., Fuhrmann J.J., Zuberer D.A. (2021) Principles and applications of soil microbiology, 3rd Edn., Elsevier Science Publishing Co. Inc, p.715.

2. Subba Rao (2001) Soil Microorganisms and plant growth. Oxford and IBH Publishing Co.Pvt.  Ltd.

3. Van Elsas, J.D., Trevors J.T., Rosado A.S. and Nannipieri P. (Ed.) (2019) Modern Soil Microbiology, 3rd edn., CRC Press, Taylor and Francis Group p.501.

4. Paul E.A. (ed.) (2015) Soil microbiology, Ecology and Biochemistry, 4th Edn., Elsevier Academic Press, p.603.

5. Madigan, M.T., Bender K.S. Buckley D.H., Sattley W.M. and Stahl D.A (2021) Brock Biology of Microorganisms, 16th Global Edn., Pearson Education Ltd., p.1129.

6. Pepper I., Gerba C. and Gentry T. (2015) Environmental Microbiology. 3rd Edn. Academic Press. p.728.

7.  Sowjanya Sree K. and Varma A. (2015) Bio-control of Lepidopteran pests. Springer  p.351.

                                             Term End Semester Model Question paper 

Time 3 hrs                                                                                                                Max. Marks 50

                                                                    Section A                                            (5 x 1 = 5 marks)

  1. Soil protozoa/humus

  2. MPN

  3. Nif/cry gene

  4. Bacteroids/YEMA

  5. R/S ratio/Actinomycetes

                                                                    Section B                             (5 x 3= 15 marks)

  6.  (a) Write shot notes on role of microorganisms in enriching the soil fertility/short notes on 

                soil bacteria/protozoa/nematode

                                                              (or)

        (b) Describe the salient feature of Ectomycorrhizae

  7. (a) Give an account on the interaction of microbe in rhizosphere region/phyllosphere

                                                               (or)

      (b) Write about carbon mineralization/carbon cycle

  8. (a) Briefly outline the decomposition of soil organic matter

                                                               (or)

      (b) Critically comment on the role of PGPR in crop production 

  9. (a) Explain the role of phosphobacteria in soil fertility

                                                                (or)

       (b) Write short notes on ammonification and denitrification.

  10. (a) Describe the process of root nodulation

                                                               (or)         

        (b) Briefly explain disease suppressive soils 

                                         Section C                               (3 x 10 = 30 marks)

   11. Write an essay on biofertilizers

   12. Discuss the types and applications of biopesticides

   13. Write in detail about nitrogen fixation process

   14. Explain with a neat diagram carbon cycle. 

   15. Describe about the role played by endomycorrhiza in plant nutrition.

1. To Download syllabus and model question paper click HERE 

2. To Download previous year question papers click HERE