Syllabus
DSE – 3B CBCS -LOCF from 2021-22 onwards
APMB 364 SOIL AND AGRICULTURAL MICROBIOLOGY (4 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 soil 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
Biogeochemical cycles – carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulphur cycles; nitrogen fixers – root nodule formation – nitrogenase, hydrogenase – biochemistry of nitrogen fixation.
Unit-IV
Biofertilizers – definition, importance – types and their application methods – Steps in mass production of bacterial biofertilizers – quality guidelines for biofertilizers. Mass production of blue green algae, Azolla and mycorrhiza. 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.
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 75
Section A (10 x 2 = 20 marks)
1. Soil protozoa/humus
2. MPN
3. Nif/cry gene
4. Bacteroids/YEMA
5. R/S ratio/Actinomycetes
6. Nod genes
7. Uptake hydrogenase
8. Leghemoglobin/Biological nitrogen fixation
9. Bacillus thuringiensis/cyanobacteria
10. Trichoderma
Section B (5 x 5= 25 marks)
11. (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
12. (a) Give an account on the interaction of microbe in rhizosphere region/phyllosphere
(or)
(b) Write about carbon mineralization/carbon cycle
13. (a) Briefly outline the decomposition of soil organic matter
(or)
(b) Critically comment on the role of PGPR in crop production
14. (a) Explain the role of phosphobacteria in soil fertility
(or)
(b) Write short notes on ammonification and denitrification.
15. (a) Describe the process of root nodulation
(or)
(b) Briefly explain disease suppressive soils
Section C (3 x 10 = 30 marks)
16. Write an essay on biofertilizers
17. Discuss the types and applications of biopesticides
18. Write in detail about nitrogen fixation process
19. Explain with a neat diagram carbon cycle.
20. Describe about the role played by endomycorrhiza in plant nutrition.