Syllabus

Module 1: Introduction to Microbial Diversity in Agriculture
Microbial diversity in soil, Microbial transformations of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and sulphur, Biological nitrogen fixation. Microflora of Rhizosphere and Phyllo-sphere microflora, microbes in composting,
Module 2: Plant Tissue Culture and Micropropagation
Plant 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. Soma-clones, Synthetic seeds,
Module 3: Biotechnology in Sustainable Agriculture
Achievements and recent developments of genetic engineering in agriculture. Development of transgenics for biotic and abiotic stress tolerance, Molecular tools in Agricultural Biotechnology, microarray, bioethics, terminator technology, nanotechnology, DNA finger printing, gene silencing,
Module 4: Microbiology of Food and Agricultural Waste Management
Microbiology of food: microbial spoilage and principles of food preservation. Beneficial microorganisms in Agriculture: Biofertilizer (Bacterial Cyanobacterial and Fungal), microbial insecticides,
Module 5: Emerging Technologies in Agricultural Biotechnology
Microbial agents for control of Plant diseases, Biodegradation, Biogas production, Biodegradable plastics, Plant - Microbe interactions.

1. To understand the diversity of soil microorganisms and their role in nutrient cycling and their ecological importance.

2. To explore advanced techniques in plant tissue culture and their applications in crop improvement and disease management.

3. To evaluate the impact of genetic engineering and biotechnology in solving agricultural problems like pest resistance, abiotic stress tolerance, and yield improvement.

4. To apply microbiological and biotechnological concepts to the production of sustainable agriculture, biofuels production, and waste management.

Upon completion, students will be able to:
1. Understand the role of microbial communities in soil health, nutrient cycling, and plant growth, including biological nitrogen fixation and composting processes.
2. Learn techniques for mass plant production, virus-free plant generation, and advanced methods like somatic hybridization and synthetic seed production for agricultural advancement.
3. Grasp recent developments in genetic engineering, including the creation of stress-resistant crops, and the use of molecular tools such as DNA fingerprinting, gene silencing, and nanotechnology for crop improvement.
4. Explore microbial spoilage and food preservation methods, as well as the role of beneficial microorganisms (biofertilizers, microbial insecticides) in sustainable agriculture and waste management.
5. Investigate cutting-edge solutions for plant disease control, biodegradation, biogas production, biodegradable plastics, and plant-microbe interactions to enhance agricultural sustainability.

Michael J. Bailey, Microbial Ecology of the Rhizosphere, Wiley , 2013

B. Shmaefsky, Biotechnology on the Farm and in the Factory: Agricultural and Industrial Applications (Biotechnology in the 21st Century), Chelsea House Publications

G. Rangaswani and D.J. Bagyraj, Agricultural Microbiology, Prentice Hall of India., New Delhi

N. S. Subbarao, Soil microorganisms and plant growth, Oxford & IBH

Biotechnology for the Environment

Journal of Environmental Management