Course Details
Subject {L-T-P / C} : BM4402 : Agricultural Biotechnology { 3-0-0 / 3}
Subject Nature : Theory
Coordinator : Prof. Balasubramanian P
Syllabus
Plant cell structure and function, Protection against infections, Microbial groups in soil,
Microbial transformations of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and sulphur, Biological nitrogen
fixation. Microflora of Rhizosphere and Phyllospheremicroflora, microbes in composting, Tissue
culture and its application, Micropropagation and molecular farming, Meristem culture and
production of virus-free plants,Embryo and ovary culture, Protoplast fusion-somatic hybrids,
cybrids. Somaclones, Synthetic seeds,In vitro germplasm conservation. Cryopreservation.
Organelle DNA, Satellite-and repetitive DNAs. DNA repair. Regulation of gene expression.
Methods of gene transfer in plants, Gene gun, Protoplast fusion, Agrobacterium mediated gene
transfer etc. Achievements and recent developments of genetic engineering in agriculture.
Development of transgenies for biotic and abiotic stress tolerance, Molecular tools in
Agricultural Biotechnology, microarray, bioethics, terminator technology, nanotechnology, DNA
finger printing, gene silencing,Microbiology of food: microbial spoilage and principles of food
preservation. Beneficial microorganisms in Agriculture: Biofertilizer (Bacterial Cyanobacterial
and Fungal), microbial insecticides, Microbial agents for control of Plant diseases,
Biodegradation, Biogas production, Biodegradable plastics, Plant - Microbe interactions,
Course Objectives
- To introduce the basic concepts involved in agricultural biotechnology
Course Outcomes
To realise the significance and potential of agricultural biotechnology for enhancing the overall productivity
Essential Reading
- M.J. Chrispeels, and D.E. Sadava, Plants, Genes and Crop Biotechnology, Jones & Bartlett Learning 2nd edition, , 2003
- G. Rangaswami, and D.G. Bagyaraj,, Agricultural Microbiology, . Prentice-Hall of India Pvt.Ltd, 2nd revised edition, , 2004
Supplementary Reading
- B. R.Shmaefsky, Biotechnology on the Farm and in the Factory: Agricultural and Industrial Applications (Biotechnology in the 21st Century),, Chelsea House Publications , 2006
- N.S. Subba Rao, Soil microorganisms and plant growth,, New Delhi : Oxford and IBH Publishing Co., , 2004