AGRICULTURE MICROBIOLOGY

Microbes

A small living organisms that we see with the help of microscope.
They live in water, oxygen, and land.
E.g. Virus, Fungi, Protozoan, Bacteria, Algae, etc.
They are unicellular, multicellular & clusters.

Soil Microbes

The living organisms that live in the soil known as soil microbes.

It enhances soil fertility and health.
It decomposing organic matter.
"Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria"(PGPR), it is a group of bacteria which enhances plant growth and yield of crop.
PGPR also works as biofertilizers.

Carbon Cycle

It is the natural way by which we re-use the carbon.
There are two main processes which occur: photosynthesis and metabolism.
In carbon cycle process the carbon from environment used by living organisms and travel back to atmosphere.

Nitrogen Cycle

It is the process by which atmospheric nitrogen is converted into multiple chemical forms.
e.g. Dinitrogen, Nitrate, Ammonium Nitrate, etc.

Biogeochemical Cycle

Biogeochemical Cycle is the natural way by which chemical elements (carbon, oxygen, sulfurr, etc) are flow from living to environment and from environment to living organisms.

Phosphorous Cycle

It is a biological cycle that continuously flowing through lithosphere(land), hydrosphere(water) and biosphere(living things).
Low amount of phosphorus in soil cause reduction in plant growth, reduction in growth of soil microbes and also cause low yield.

Sulfur Cycle

Sulphur cycle describes the movement of sulfur through the atmosphere, minerals form and through living things
It is a sedimentary cycle.
Sedimentary cycle involves breaking of rocks, splitting of rocks into small molecules, soil erosion because of wind and water.
Sulphur is required for production of amino acid.

Nitrogen Fixation

It is the process by which molecules of nitrogen in the air is converted into ammonia( NH₃) or more related nitrogenous compounds in soil .
Nitrogen fixation is very useful in agriculture fields.
Also useful in manufacturing of fertilizers.
Nitrogen fixation is done by microorganisms like Azotobacter, Bacillus, Clostridium and Klebsiella.
Nitrogen fixation is also done by naturally called lightning nitrogen.

Symbiotic Nitrogen Fixation

It is a relationship between nitrogen-fixing microorganisms and leguminous plant.
Plant give them energy(glucose) to the microorganisms and microorganisms store ammonia in their root nodules.
SNF are obligate organisms.

Associative Nitrogen Fixation

The process by which dinitrogen is converted into ammonia( NH₃) by bacteria in relationship with host plant are known as associative nitrogen fixation.
ASF(Associative Nitrogen Fixation) organisms are facultative type.

The main difference between SNF&ANF is that one is obligate and the another is facultative.

Obligate means the two living organisms are dependent on each other for their food or for their shelter..

Facultative means two organisms are independent on each other.

Asymbiotic Nitrogen Fixation

Microorganisms that absorb nitrogen from atmosphere for themself are known as asymbiotic nitrogen fixation.
ANF organisms are indirectly giving ammonia or other useful nitrogen compounds to the plants that are near by them.
e.g. Blue green algae.

Azolla

It is floating fern and has ability to fix free nitrogen.
Azolla is most commonly used as green manure or biofertilizers.
Azolla also used as fodder for animals, feeding chickens(for increasing weight).

Blue Green Algae

It is also known as cyanobacteria.
It naturally fertile the fields and paddy crops and enhance yields.
It converts free atmosphere nitrogen into nitrate and ammonia (NH₃).
Blue-green algae is also used in food products, t boosts immune system and helpful in weight loss.

Also used for the treatment of cancer patient.

Mycorrhiza

It makes symbiosis relationship between plant roots and fungi.
Mycorrhiza takes energy(glucose) from plants and provide them water, phosphorus and many more minerals taken from the soil.
e.g.Orchiz Mycorrhiza, Arbuscular Mycorrhiza, etc.

Rhizosphere

Area of soil which covers plant root and where most of microorganisms live and plant provide them energy.
Soil around the root where microbial activity is high are known as rhizosphere.

Phyllosphere

The above portion of plant from ground i.e stem, leaves, flower, fruit, etc where microorganisms live is known as phyllosphere.
The phyllosphere subdivided into caulosphere, phylloplane, anthosphere and carposphere.

Microbes in Human Welfare.

Biofertilizers

Biofertilizers are living microorganisms which increase yields, plant growth, develop root by increasing the microbes quantity in plants.

Biopesticides

Those pesticides which are derived by living organisms like-animal, plant, bacteria, etc.
Biopesticides are used for controlling pests and insects.

Biofuel production and degradation

Biofuel is a fuel that is produced through contemporary process from biomass, rather than by fossil.

Biofuel production is the way of biofuel production is chemical reaction, fermentation and heat to break down the starches, sugar and other molecules in plant.

Then resulting products are then refined to produce a fuel that cars or other vehicle can use.

Microbial degradation of organic matter in soil

Microbial degradation or decomposition is a biological process in which physical and chemical property of complex organic compound change into simple molecules.

Preparation of Vermicompost

Vermicompost is the product of the decomposition process.

"Vermicomposting is a process in which the earthworm convert the organic waste into manure rich in high nutrition content".

Two methods of Vermicomposting are-

Bed Method.
Pit Method.

Bed Method -

In this method beds of organic matter are prepared.

Pit Method -

Organic Method are collected in cemented pits.

Procedure

To prepare compost, either a plastic or a concrete tank can be used.
Collect the biomass and replace it under the sun for about 8-12 days. Now chop it to the required size using the cutter.
Prepare a cow dung slurry and sprinkle it on the heap for quick decomposition.
Add a layer(2-3 inch.) of soil or sand at the bottom of the tank.
Prepare fine bedding by adding partially decomposed cow dung, dried leaves and other biodegradable wastes collected from fields and kitchen.
Continue adding both the chopped biowaste and partially decomposed cow dung layer wise into the tank upto a depth of 0.5-1.0 ft.
After adding all the biowaste, release the earthworm species over the mixture and cover the compost mixture with dry straw or gunny bags.
Sprinkle water on a regular basis to maintain the moisture content of the compost.
Cover the tank with a thatch(a house roof made with a plant material) to prevent the entry of ants, lizards, mouse, etc and protect from rain water and direct sunshine.
Frequently check to avoid the compost from overheating.Maintain proper moisture and temperature.

Soil Organisms

The microorganisms that live in soil (fungi, algae, bacteria, etc) for increasing soil nutrients are known as soil organisms.

They mainly are of two types-

Microorganisms.
Macroorganisms.

Macro organisms-

Organisms that are seen by human naked eyes like-mites, spiders, earthworm, etc are known as macro organisms.

They enhance soil structure and fertility.

Micro Organisms-

Organisms that not are seen by human naked eyes like-bacteria, virus and many more.

Advantages of microorganisms are-

They help in making food.
They help in increasing soil fertility.
They help in making dairy products.
They help in making vaccines and medicines.
They help in cleaning environment.

Disadvantages of microorganisms are-

They spoil foods.
They can cause viral diseases.
They large large number of diseases in plants.

Microbial World

Prokaryotic Microbes-

In prokaryotic microbes nucleus is absent.
Most prokaryotes are unicellular organisms but few like myxobacteria have multicellular stages in their life cycle.
Absence of mitochondria.
e.g. Bacteria.

Eukaryotic Microbes-

Well developed nucleus.
Generally, Eukaryotic cells are larger than prokaryotes.
e.g. Fungi,Protozoa and Algae.

Chemoautotroph Bacteria or Organisms:

Chemoautotroph organisms obtain their energy through oxidation of inorganic molecules such as iron and magnesium.
All of these organism need carbon for survival and for reproduction.
e.g.Cyanobacteria .

Photoautotrophy-

It is the process by which organisms make their food by the help of sunlight, water, carbon dioxide and utilize it in form of energy.

e.g. Nearly,all plants and algae.

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