Florida International University Department of Earth and Environment

Transcription

1 Florida International University Department of Earth and Environment SWS 4303 SOIL MICROBIOLOGY EVS 6194 APPLIED SOIL BIOLOGY Syllabus - Fall 2016 (3 credits) Class Time: Tuesday/Thursday 2:00 PM to 3:15 PM Class Room: Academic Health Center-5 AHC5-357 Dr. Kateel Shetty (305) Office: VH 210 Office hours: MW 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM Contact through course Blackboard message system. A A1 A2 COURSE INTRODUCTION Suggested Text: Soil Microbiology: An Exploratory Approach, Mark Coyne Delmar Publishers (part of Cengage Learning). References: Other readings will be assigned from journal articles and books. A3-1 Undergraduate Grading and exams Points September 13, (25%) October 18, (25%) December 8, 2016 (Final) 120 (30%) Quizzes 40 (10%) Journal Articles Discussion & Participation 40 (10%) A3-2 Graduate Grading and exams Points September 13, (20%) October 18, (20%) December 8, 2016 (Final) 120 (25%) Journal Articles Discussion & Participation 40 (10%) Project work, report and presentation 50 (25%) 1

2 Course Syllabus The Instructor reserves the right to change the outline, topics, exam dates, and project assignments. A4 A5 A6 B B1 B2 B3 C C1 C2 C3 C4 D D1 D2 D3 E E1 E2 E3 E4 F F1 F2 F3 F4 This course will provide you with an understanding of soil organisms and give you an opportunity to become familiar with the activities of these organisms in relation to human existence. Techniques and methods of isolation, enumeration, and means of studying transformations will be emphasized. Relevant research articles will be discussed during regular lecture hours. Overview of importance Why study soil microorganisms? Historical accounts and the Golden Age of soil microbiology. SOIL AS A BIOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT Composition minerals, organic fractions, charge, size relationships Important variables soil moisture, soil atmosphere, soil temperature, humus, soil ph The Soil Biota METABOLIC REQUIREMENTS AND GROWTH Water The five essentials Energy source (electron donor), Electron acceptor, Carbon source, Minerals, and Growth factors Growth curves Dilution plate counts BACTERIA Naming and General Taxonomy Morphological and Nutritional Classification Geochemical groups ACTINOMYCETES What are they? Classification and Taxonomy Conidia Role in the Soil FUNGI Selective Media and Methods of Investigation Types of Organisms Present Spore and Hyphae Separation; Bacterial and Fungal Spore Comparison Role in the Soil 2

3 G G1 G2 G3 H H1 H2 H3 I I1 I2 I3 I4 J J1 J2 J3 K K1 K2 K3 L L1 L2 L3 L4 L5 M M1 M2 M3 M4 N N1 N2 ALGAE Location and Significance Kinds of Soil Algae Lichens Viruses Hosts Presence in Soil Activity and Scope PROTOZOA Most-Probable Number (MPN) Technique How to identify Motility Environmental Influences and Significance NONPROTOZOA FAUNA Neglected group Nematodes Earthworms MEHODS FOR THE STUDY OF SOIL ECOLOGY Direct methods Cultural methods Product transformations DECOMPOSITION OF ORGANIC MATTER IN SOIL Carbon cycle Organics Assimilation Mineralization and Immobilization of Nitrogen Management of Soil Organic Matter PLANT COMPONENT BREAKDOWN Cellulose Starch Hemicellulose Other Polysaccharides, Proteins, and Lipids THE RHIZOSPHERE AND ORGANISMAL DISTRIBUTION WITHIN THE SOIL Exudates R/S Ratio 3

4 N3 N4 Beneficial and Harmful effects Pathogenic Relationships O O1 O2 O3 P P1 P2 P3 P4 Q Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 R R1 R2 R3 S S1 S2 S3 S4 T T1 T2 T3 U U1 U2 U3 MYCORRHIZAE Ectomycorrhizae Endomycorrhizae Nutrients and Carbon Flow NITROGEN FIXATION Nonsymbiotic Symbiotic The Symbioses Inoculation and Biochemistry NITRIFICATION Historical Schloesing and Muntz, Warington, and Winogradsky Nitrifying bacteria Environmental influences Nitrification inhibitors DENITRIFICATION Organisms involved Biochemistry and End-Products Environmental factors MICROBIAL TRANSFORMATIONS OF PHOSPHORUS AND SULFUR Organic and inorganic P Phosphatases Oxidation and Reduction of Sulfur Organic forms of S MICROBIAL TRANSFORMATIONS OF METALS Iron transformations Pipe corrosion Others RECALCITRANT MOLECULES Pesticides Persistence and Microbial Degradation Fate and Transport 4

5 If you miss class due to a valid, documented extenuating circumstance, it will not count as an absence. Examples of valid absences include: (a) family member serious illness or death; (b) official academic/athletic event (e.g. field trip); or (c) recommendation from an MD. Conversely, points will be lost for unexcused absences, being late to the class, leaving the class at will, class disruptions, etc. Late assignments will not be accepted except when due to the above-cited circumstances. Examinations will have subjective and objective sections. The Final will be a cumulative. Please be aware that definitions will be expected in the examinations. Quizzes will test specific points covered during recent lectures. Make-up quizzes will not be given - rather if you miss a quiz during an excused absence I will use an average of all your other quizzes to calculate a replacement score. Participation points will be awarded for attentiveness and positive contribution to class discussions. Conversely, points will be lost for unexcused absences, class disruptions, etc. Missing more than 4 classes will result in 10% loss of your final grade. Method of instruction is traditional lectures mixed with student discussion on relevant journal articles. Part of the class work may involve visit to garden/field and other labs/institutions of interest. Grade Evaluation Scale: = A = A = B = B = B = C = C = D <58 = F Please ask questions in class as this will greatly add to the discussion and learning process and let me know at anytime throughout the term how I can be of help. Note: This syllabus and course schedule may be updated, if needed. An announcement of changes will be made in class and in Blackboard Learning class webpage. 5