B1829 - Microbial Biotechnologies Applied to Plant Production

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student acquires theoretical and practical knowledge and skills for the use of microorganisms aimed at the sustainable management of agricultural and vegetable production. Furthermore, the student is able to define sustainable strategies based on the use of microorganisms for an efficient management of plant production and the maintenance of soil microbial biodiversity.

Course contents

The program includes an initial review of bacterial genetics and a small module on techniques for studying microbial communities with some notions of approach to NGS analysis. A module of microbial biotechnology applied to the environment and agriculture will follow.

a. Review of bacterial genetics. Plasmids, transposable elements, genome organization, gene regulation mechanisms in microorganisms, horizontal gene transfer (HGT). Microbial Biotechnology and legislative aspects related to the application of GMMs (Genetically Modified Microorganisms), recombinant DNA technology, cloning and expression vectors, metagenomics.

b. Microbial identification and study of environmental microbial communities through the tools of molecular microbial ecology (Sanger sequencing, NGS, qPCR).

c. Microbial Biotechnology applied to the environment and agriculture:

• Soil microbiota, rhizosphere, phyllosphere, plant and seed endophytes
• Plant Growth Promoting Microorganisms (PGPM): i) microbial mechanisms of direct growth promotion, biostimulation and biofertilization; ii) microbial mechanisms of indirect growth promotion, antagonistic microorganisms; iii) interaction and recruitment by the plant host.
• Microbial inoculants: production, quality parameters, agronomic effects.
• Associations between microorganisms and plants, nitrogen fixation and nitrogen-fixing symbiosis (examples of engineering to increase nodulation capacity)
• Insect-associated microorganisms. Symbiotic control of harmful insects or vectors of phytopathogens
• Bioremediation (in-situ and ex-situ treatments of contaminated soils, advantages and disadvantages of bioremediation)
• Metals and their biological role, genetics and biochemistry of microorganisms' resistance to metals, role of microorganisms in the bio-absorption of metals
• Biological treatment of wastewater
• Biosensors (detection of pollutants)

Readings/Bibliography

Use of the slides made available on Virtuale

Scientific articles related to the topics will be made available on Virtuale

For further information, the following texts are recommended:

Microbiologia Agroambientale - B. Biavati, C. Sorlini (Casa Editrice Ambrosiana)

J Willey, L Sherwood, CJ Woolverton (10th edition 2017) Prescott's Microbiology. Published by McGraw-Hill Education.

JK Patra, CN Vishnuprasad, G Das (2018). Microbial Biotechnology: Applications in Agriculture and Environment. Springers.

Arora, N.K., & Bouizgarne, B. (Eds.). (2022). Microbial Biotechnology for Sustainable Agriculture Volume 1 (Vol. 33). Springer Nature.

Teaching methods

For the theoretical part, the teaching method will be based on power point presentations and open discussions. The total number of hours will be divided into: 60% frontal lessons and 40% complementary activities (laboratory activities, seminars, etc.). The purpose of the complementary activities is to connect the theoretical part of the course with the practical aspects. 

Assessment methods

The verification of the learning of the course will take place through a final oral exam, which ensures the acquisition of the expected knowledge and skills through 3 questions on the program carried out.

Teaching tools

PC, projector and blackboard are available for lessons. For the complementary activities, teaching laboratories available on the Imola Campus will be used.

Office hours

See the website of Loredana Baffoni