Advanced Soil Microbiology 

Dear Student,

 Greetings to you, and welcome to CS 566: Advanced Soil Microbiology. 

My name is Prof. N. Ewusi-Mensah and I will be your course facilitator during the second semester of the 2022/2023 academic year. I am looking forward to a great learning experience with you. 

As a first step, I encourage you to fill out and submit the course registration form to help me know you better and to plan effectively for all upcoming activities/assignments. See your class president/rep for your log-in details.

 Secondly, please take some time off to carefully read the course overview, learning objectives, and due dates for course assignments. Online sessions will take place via Zoom. You can always access the live Zoom sessions using this link; Join a Live Zoom Session. The username and password to be used to join a live online session will be shared with your class WhatsApp page 30 minutes before the start of the class. Most of the time, I will record the live Zoom sessions and share them with students. I have also added some helpful videos and useful links to assist in self-paced learning. Make sure you participate fully in all class forum discussions. This will involve regularly logging into the V-class to check discussion forums and interacting with classmates/team members and instructors.

 At this point, I suggest you submit your first forum discussion assignment by introducing yourself in three sentences and outlining in three bullet points your expectations for this course. View and comment on at least one other post from your classmates. Please note that the forum discussion will be graded (3 marks).

Note: See the forum discussion assignment 1 at the end of this section. 

There is a lot of work to do...so let's get started. 

Thank you and good luck.

Postal Address

Prof. N. Ewusi-Mensah 

Department of Crop and Soil Sciences 

KNUST, Kumasi-Ghana

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Prof. Nana Ewusi-Mensah

Post Office Box KS 10108

Adum Kumasi.

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Email Address

Personal

nanaewusi@yahoo.com

Institutional email

newusi-mensah.canr@knust.edu.gh

Consultancy

info@ischoolconsult.org

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Phone Number

WhatsApp/Mobile Number: (+233)244-761820

Mobile Number:  (+233)20-8644910

Course Description

Soil macro- and micro-fauna (functional classification, enumeration; food and nutrition; functions in soil fertility; ecological relationships; the impact of management practices on population density).

Role of soil microorganisms in biogeochemistry (microbial diversity and economic importance to soil productivity; participation and role of microorganisms in the elemental cycles of nature (carbon cycle and nitrogen cycle).

Degradation of pesticides in soils (types and functions, pesticide entry into soils, pesticide movement through soils, pesticide decomposition in soils – physical, physico-chemical, chemical, and microbiological factors, the influence of pesticides on soil microflora and microfauna.

Biological nitrogen fixation (BNF), Diversity of biological nitrogen fixation, Biochemistry of BNF, Symbiotic nitrogen fixation by leguminous plants (Taxonomy of rhizobia, nodulation, effective symbiosis, Amount of N2 fixed, Approaches to enhancing N2 fixation, Assessment of need to inoculate, Inoculum technology); Environmental constraints to N2 fixation (Physical, Chemical, Biological, Multiple stresses); Methods of assessing N2 fixation.

Course Objectives

The course is intended to:

1. Provide a comprehensive overview of microorganisms living in the soil.

2. Evaluate the ecology and the role of the biota in soil health improvement.

3. Discuss plant-microbe interactions, especially rhizosphere, mycorrhiza, and nitrogen fixation.

4. Assess the microbial role in soil carbon and nitrogen transformations and cycles.

Learning Outcomes

1. Improved students' capacity to understand the role of soil biota in soil-plant productivity.

2. Use available strategies for optimum exploitation of soil biota in sustainable agricultural practices.

3.  Discuss the role of key plant-microbe interactions in enhancing crop production systems. 

4.  Discuss the major role microorganisms play in the biogeochemical cycles of nature. 

Course Delivery Strategies

• The lecture will be delivered face-face and online, with theoretical materials provided during lectures and laboratory sessions.

Tutorial sessions and a review of study questions as and when necessary will also support delivery strategies.

Course Assessments

Please note that all course assessments are graded based on standard rubrics. Kindly take time to review the appropriate rubric before submitting each assignment.

At the end of the semester, course grades will be as follows;

• Continuous assessment: 10%

• Forum discussion: 5%

• Laboratory Practicals: 5%

• Mid-semester: 10%

• End of semester examination: 70%

1. Introduction of equipment and materials used in the soil microbiology laboratory.

2. Plating techniques

3. Enumeration of soil microbial population 

• Serial dilution technique 

4. Isolation of microorganisms

5.  Isolation of nitrogen-fixing bacteria from root nodule

6.  Inoculation of seed with nitrogen-fixing bacteria.

7.  Gram staining

1. A handbook of tropical soil biology. Sampling and characterization of below-ground biodiversity. Edited by Fatima M.S. Moreira, E. Jeroen and David E. Bignell.

2. Microbial ecology of the soil and plant growth. Science Publishers, INC. USA.

3. Soil microbiology – an exploratory approach. Mark Coyne. Delmar Publishers.

4. Symbiotic nitrogen fixation. Prospects for enhanced application in Tropical agriculture. Oxford and IBH Publishing Co. Pvt. Ltd.

5. Microbial Ecology: Organisms, Habitats, Activities. Heinz Stolp. The University of Cambridge.

The following are the upcoming assignments for this course;

• Assignment 1 - Google form (Reading)

Assignment open/Time: 25th June, 2023/8:00 pm

Due date/Time: 25th June, 2023/12:00 am

Instruction: Read carefully all the module 1 reading material(s) before attempting this quiz.  The link for the quiz will be activated when the assignment is open. The link for the quiz can be found under Module 1. The total mark for this quiz is 10 marks. You have a lot of reading to do, so get to work now...!

• Assignment 2 - Google form (Reading)

Assignment open/Time: 25th June, 2023/8:00 pm

Due date/Time: 25th June, 2023/12:00 am

Instruction: Read carefully all the module 2 reading material(s) before attempting this quiz.  The link for the quiz will be activated when the assignment is open. The link for the quiz can be found under Module 2. The total mark for this quiz is 10 marks. You have a lot of reading to do, so get to work now...!

• Assignment 3 - Google form (Video)

Assignment open/Time: 

Due date/Time: 

Instruction: Watch carefully all the videos in module 3 before attempting this quiz.  The link for the quiz will be activated when the assignment is open. The link for the quiz can be found under Module 3. The total mark for this quiz is 10 marks. You have a lot to watch, so get to work now...!

• Assignment 4 - Google form (Reading)

Assignment open/Time: 

Due date/Time: 

Instruction: Watch carefully all the videos in module 4 before attempting this quiz.  The link for the quiz will be activated when the assignment is open. The link for the quiz can be found under Module 4. The total mark for this quiz is 10 marks. You have a lot to watch, so get to work now...!

Module overview

• In this module, you will have the chance to meet your facilitator online. 

• You would also be introduced to the different modules/tools outlined in this course and the fundamental rules that govern online and in-person facilitation.

• What to expect from this course and what resources you will require especially in your self-paced learning.

Come prepared for this module as your feedback shall inform my decision to revise the course modules or content for students in the next academic year. 

Indicative content

• Soil fauna and flora.

• Functions of the soil fauna.

• Enumeration of soil fauna. 

• Major groups of soil flora and their functions in improving soil productivity.

Learning outcomes

After this module, you should be able to:

• Outline the different types of soil flora and fauna in the soil. 

• Discuss the functions of soil fauna. 

• Identify the different methods for assessing soil fauna.

• Discuss the major groups and functions of soil flora in the soil. 

Module readings

Reading 1 - Presentation slides 

Reading 2 - Soil microorganisms and their functions 

Module videos

End of module quiz

End of module quiz. Quiz opens on 25th June, 2023 at 8 pm and closes same day at 12:00 am. Good luck!  

Indicative content

• Biological nitrogen fixation.

• Biochemistry of nodule formation.

• Approaches to enhancing nitrogen fixation in tropical cropping systems.

• Nitrogen fixing species in tropical cropping systems. 

• Cross inoculation group concept. 

• Legume inoculant technology.

• Methods for assessing nitrogen fixation in legumes.

• Types of mycorrhiza.

• Role of mycorrhiza in cropping systems. 

Learning outcomes

After this module, you should be able to:

• Explain the role of microorganisms in the nitrogen cycle. 

• Describe how nodules are formed in legumes. 

• Outline the different approaches for enhancing biological nitrogen fixation in tropical cropping systems.

• Identify the different kinds of nitrogen fixers in cropping systems. 

• Explain the cross inoculation group concept. 

• Apply inoculants to legume seeds and identify the different types of inoculants.

• Explain the different methods for assessing the amount of nitrogen fixed in tropical cropping systems. 

• Identify the different types of mycorrhiza and their roles in crop productivity. 

Module readings

Reading 2 - Overview and case studies on biological nitrogen fixation: perspectives and limitations.

Reading 3 - Symbiotic nitrogen fixation - Prospects for enhanced application in Tropical Agriculture. 

Reading 4 (Article) - Mycorrhiza for inoculant production. 

Reading 5 - Methods for quantifying nitrogen fixation.

Reading 6 - Overview of biological nitrogen fixation

Reading 7 (Article) - Rhizobium legume symbiosis and nitrogen fixation under arid conditions  

Module videos

Video 1 - Biogeochemical cycles of nature 

Video 2 - Overview of the nitrogen cycle 

End of module quiz

End of module quiz. Quiz opens on 9th July, 2023 at 8 pm and closes same day at 12:00 am. Good luck! 

Indicative content

• Preservation of microbial cultures.

• General detection and measurement of soil microorganisms.

• Viable plate culture method for enumerating soil bacteria. 

• Examination of microbes by staining techniques.

Learning outcomes

After this module, you should be able to:

• Outline the reasons why microbial cultures are preserved.  

• Describe the different ways used for the detection and measurement of soil microorganisms.  

• Explain the viable culture method for enumerating soil bacteria. 

• Describe the Gram staining procedure for classifying bacteria into gram-negative and gram-positive. 

Module readings

Reading 1 - Presentation slides. 

Module videos

Indicative content

• Types of bioremediation.

• Essential factors for microbial bioremediation.

• Advantages and disadvantages of bioremediation. 

Learning outcomes

After this module, you should be able to:

• Differentiate between the different types of bioremediation. 

• Discuss the factors required for microbial bioremediation. 

• Outline the advantages and disadvantages of bioremediation. 

Module readings

Module videos

• In this module, students will have the opportunity to ask questions or seek clarifications regarding the content of any of the modules delivered. 

• As part of the learning process, this module seeks to provide valuable course feedback from students. This end-of-course feedback will serve as a crucial mechanism to evaluate the effectiveness of the content, instructional methods, and overall learning experience. 

• I will also use the feedback as a valuable resource for identifying areas where the curriculum may need adjustment or improvement. If feedback received pushes the boundaries of the curriculum, proactive measures will be taken to incorporate and address those suggestions during the module review process.