MIBI 22042

>< Type/Status : Core
>< Title : Environmental and Agricultural Microbiology Laboratory
>< Pre-requisite : MIBI 12014 & 12022
>< Co-requisite : MIBI 22034
>< Objectives : At the end of the course unit, the students will be able to demonstrate the knowledge and understanding of
• the different physiological techniques to assay microorganisms in the environment,
• techniques used to evaluate the ability of bacteria to bio-degrade xenobiotic compounds,
• the standard procedures for the detection and quantification of coliforms and E. coli.,
• the standard techniques of assessing BOD, COD, Suspended solids and some other selected parameters in wastewater,
• laboratory procedures used to diagnose plant diseases and to identify pathogens.
>< Course content :

Environmental Microbiology
Laboratory exercises to illustrate the contents and special features emphasized in lecture course MIBI 22034. Enrichment & Isolation of bacteria capable of degrading synthetic organic compounds. Diversity of microbial habitats, Microbial Quality of water: Coliform Test, Membrane filter techniques, MPN counts Physico–Chemical characteristics of polluted water.

Agricultural Microbiology
Plant disease diagnosis (Fungal, Bacterial, Virus diseases), Isolation of plant pathogenic Microorganisms. (Fungi & Bacteria), Identification of plant pathogens using Cultural, Biochemical and Molecular biological techniques. Confirmation of pathogenicity.

>< Methodology : Laboratory practical and demonstration classes.
>< Scheme of Evaluation : End of course examination.
>< Recommended Reading:
1. Agrios, G. N. (1997). Plant Pathology, Academic Press
2. Board, R.G., Jones, D. and Skinner, F.A. (1992) Identification methods in Applied and Environmental Microbiology. Blackwell Science, Inc. Oxford, UK.
3. Coomaraswamy, U. (1979) A hand book to the fungi parasitic on the plants of Sri Lanka. Published by the National Science Council of Sri Lanka.
4. Howard, J., Whitcombe, D. M. (1995) Diagnostic Bacteriology- Protocols. Humana Press.
5. Matthews, R. E. F (1992). Plant Virology. San Diego, Academic Press.
6. Pepper, I.L. and Gerba, C.P. (1995) Environmental Microbiology: A Laboratory Manual. Harcourt Brace & Company.
7. Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater (1992). American Public Health Association.

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