Introduction to Microbiology: Definition, applied areas of Microbiology and Importance of Microbiology. History of Microbiology: Discovery of microorganisms, Spontaneous generation theory, Germ theory of diseases, Immunization, fermentation, and origin of life.

Bacteria: cell structure, chemoautotrophy, photo autotrophy, growth. Bacterial genetics: Genetic recombination- transformation, conjugation and transduction, genetic engineering.

Soil Microbiology: Nutrient mineralization and transformation, Air Microbiology: Phyllosphere microflora, Phylloplane microflora, microflora of floral parts ete.

Biological control: Microbial biopesticides for plant disease management 3 Concepts of rhizosphere microbiology- Rhizodeposits -biochemical 2 nature, release mechanism in rhizosphere, function, Carbon flow in thizosphere, Rhizosphere microbiome- residents and their roles.

Potential of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and endophytes on soil health and sustainability.

Bioremediation of polluted soils using microbial mediators. Phytoremediation of polluted soils

Study of the microscope; Acquaintance with laboratory material and equipment; Microscopic observation of different groups of microorganisms: moulds (Fungi)

Direct staining of bacteria by crystal violet; Negative or indirect staining of bacteria by nigrosin; Gram staining of bacteria

Study of phyllosphere and rhizosphere microflora

Measurement of microorganisms

Preparation of culture media; Isolation and purification of thizospheric microbes

Isolation and purification of N-fixers; Isolation and purification of Nutrient solubilizers;

Isolation and purification of Endophytes.