526-307 Agricultural Microbiology

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Objectives:

On completion of the subject students should be able to:

• describe the ways in which different microorganisms satisfy their basic requirements for growth;

• experimentally isolate and characterise microorganisms and viruses that can have significant impacts on agricultural practices;

• describe the nitrogen gas fixing processes of both free living and symbiotic microorganisms;

• explain the mechanisms regulating the expression of genes that respond to changes in the environment and to have a detailed knowledge of at least 2 such systems;

• appreciate the potential ways by which the productivity of plants and animals involved in agricultural practices may be increased by genetic modifications and by the biological control of potential pathogens;

• describe how Agrobacterium plasmids are being used to modify the behaviour of plants and microorganisms;

• explain the fundamental characteristics of the immune system of animals and plants and how these systems can be used to protect animals and plants from disease;

• describe research in the last 5 years which has resulted in the development of at least 2 new animal vaccines;

• appreciate the factors involved in the pathogenicity of microorganisms for both animals and plants;

• understand the reasons for and principles of the current Australian Government quarantine regulations.

Content:

Microbiological and molecular biological aspects of the cycling of C, N, S, and P, of particular relevance to agricultural practices. Microbial symbiosis with plants and animals. Mechanisms of pathogenesis including recognition phenomena at cell surfaces. Animal and plant disease and disease resistance mechanisms. Detection, culture and characterisation methods for microorganisms of particular relevance to agriculture. Control methods for microbial pathogens including biological control and the use of vaccines. Possibilities of genetic engineering to improve agricultural practices and products.

Assessment: