Lecture schedule

Theory

1. Introduction and historical developments in soil microbiology. Contributions of Beijerinck, Winogradsky, Fleming and Waksman
2. Diversity of soil microorganisms - culturable and unculturable microbial diversity. Factors influencing the activities of soil microorganisms
3. Carbon cycle – C:N ratio. Role of soil microorganisms in the decomposition of organic matter and humus formation
4. Nitrogen cycle – microbiology and biochemistry of mineralization, ammonification, nitrification and denitrification
5. Biological nitrogen fixation – free living, associative, endophytic and symbiotic microorganisms
6. Nodulation in Rhizobium- legume and Frankia – actinorhizal symbioses. Biochemistry of nitrogen fixation
7. Phosphorus cycle and microbial transformation of phosphorus - phosphate solubilizer and mycorrhizae
8. Mid Semester Examination
9. Sulphur cycle - sulphur oxidizers; microbial transformation of K, Zn and Si. Role of soil enzymes in nutrient transformation
10. Importance of soil and plant associated microorganisms – rhizosphere, spermosphere - Phyllosphere, epiphytic and endophytes
11. Soil microorganisms and their interactions – positive and negative interactions. Bioinoculants - types - bacterial, fungal (AMF) and algal bionoculants
12. Mass production of bioinoculants
13. Industrial utilization of microorganisms –alcohol fermentation – alcoholic beverages
14. Antibiotics production (Penicillin and Streptomycin) and Vitamin production (Vitamin B2 and Vitamin B12).
15. Microbes in food industry – Single Cell Protein, Baker’s and Brewer’s yeast, Dairy Products – cheese and yoghurt
16. Biofuels – alcohol and biodiesel production

Practical schedule

1. Enumeration of soil microorganisms - quantitative Conn’s direct microscopic method –
2. Qualitative buried slide technique
3. Enumeration of rhizosphere microorganisms and determination of R:S ratio
4. Studying organic matter decomposition by measurement of CO₂ evolution
5. Antibiosis in soil – Crowded plate technique
6. Isolation of Rhizobium from root nodules
7. Isolation of Azospirilum and Azotobacter
8. Isolation of Gluconoacetobacter from sugarcane
9. Isolation of phosphobacteria and PPFM
10. Isolation of PGPR (Pseudomonas sp)
11. Examination of AM infection in roots and recovery of spores from soil
12. Mass production of bacterial bioinoculants and AM fungi
13. Mass multiplication of blue green algae and Azolla
14. Methods of application of different bioinoculants
15. Isolation of yeast and Lactobacillus
16. Wine fermentation
17. Yoghurt and sauerkraut fermentation
18. Practical Examination