Microbial Biotechnologies Applied to Plant Production
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The course will provide to the students current knowledge on the state of the art and developing perspectives about microbial biotechnologies for plant growth promotion, soil fertility and crop protection. Environmental biotechnologies applied to bioremediation, wastewater treatment and the disposal or valorisation of agricultural waste biomasses will be also outlined. Laboratory lessons will allow students to acquire practical experience on qualitative and quantitative tests for the evaluation of plant growth promoting microorganisms.
Expected learning outcomes
The course will provide basic and analytical knowledge necessary to elaborate and discuss a proper evaluation of potentials and limits of the application of microbial biotechnologies for plant production.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
The teaching program includes the presentation and discussion of the following topics:
-Study of environmental microbial communities (microbial ecology methods). Microbial identification (0,75 CFU).
-Role of microorganisms in soil formation, fertility maintenance and cycle of organic matter. Soil microbiome, rhizosphere microbiome, phyllosphere microbiome (0,75 CFU)
-Plant-microbe interactions: mycorrhizal symbiosis and nitrogen-fixing symbiosis to support plant production. In-depth study on the molecular dialogue between plant and microorganisms in the formation of the root nodule in the case of legumes and actinorrhizae (1 CFU).
-Plant Growth Promoting Microorganisms: i) microbial mechanisms of direct plant promotion, biostimulation and biofertilisation, ii) microbial mechanisms of indirect plant promotion, antagonistic microorganisms, iii) plant-microbe interactions and bacteria recruitment from plants. Microbial inoculants: production, quality monitoring, agronomical effects (0,75 CFU)
-Microorganisms associated to insects: primary and secondary symbionts, reproductive manipulators, gut symbionts. Bacillus thuringiensis. Symbiotic control of detrimental insects or vectors of phytopathogens (0,75 CFU)
-Microbial biotechnologies for plant biomass transformation and disposal: anaerobic digestion, sludge treatment, photosynthetic organisms for biofuel production (0,75 CFU).
-Environmental microbial biotechnologies: soil bioremediation. Rhizoremediation (0,75 CFU).
-Study of environmental microbial communities (microbial ecology methods). Microbial identification (0,75 CFU).
-Role of microorganisms in soil formation, fertility maintenance and cycle of organic matter. Soil microbiome, rhizosphere microbiome, phyllosphere microbiome (0,75 CFU)
-Plant-microbe interactions: mycorrhizal symbiosis and nitrogen-fixing symbiosis to support plant production. In-depth study on the molecular dialogue between plant and microorganisms in the formation of the root nodule in the case of legumes and actinorrhizae (1 CFU).
-Plant Growth Promoting Microorganisms: i) microbial mechanisms of direct plant promotion, biostimulation and biofertilisation, ii) microbial mechanisms of indirect plant promotion, antagonistic microorganisms, iii) plant-microbe interactions and bacteria recruitment from plants. Microbial inoculants: production, quality monitoring, agronomical effects (0,75 CFU)
-Microorganisms associated to insects: primary and secondary symbionts, reproductive manipulators, gut symbionts. Bacillus thuringiensis. Symbiotic control of detrimental insects or vectors of phytopathogens (0,75 CFU)
-Microbial biotechnologies for plant biomass transformation and disposal: anaerobic digestion, sludge treatment, photosynthetic organisms for biofuel production (0,75 CFU).
-Environmental microbial biotechnologies: soil bioremediation. Rhizoremediation (0,75 CFU).
Prerequisites for admission
Basic knowledge in general and agricultural microbiology is required
Teaching methods
The course consists of:
-5.5 CFU lectures with PowerPoint presentation support. The presentations will be provided to students through the page dedicated to "teaching materials" on the teacher's website on the myAriel platform (https://myariel.unimi.it/);
-0.5 CFU laboratory practices
-5.5 CFU lectures with PowerPoint presentation support. The presentations will be provided to students through the page dedicated to "teaching materials" on the teacher's website on the myAriel platform (https://myariel.unimi.it/);
-0.5 CFU laboratory practices
Teaching Resources
- Book: "Modern soil microbiology (3rd edition 2019, editor Van Elsas, Jannson, Trevors, Rosado, Nannipieri)
- Slides of lectures provided by teachers as electronic file (pdf)
- Scientific publications
- Slides of lectures provided by teachers as electronic file (pdf)
- Scientific publications
Assessment methods and Criteria
The final examination is written and aims to verify the knowledge acquired by the student. The student is required to answer to three open questions in a maximum time of 1.5 h. Questions refer to the topics presented during lessons. Examples of the questions will be provided during the lessons.
Students with SLD or disability certifications are kindly requested to contact the teacher at least 15 days before the date of the exam session to agree on individual exam requirements. In the email please make sure to add in cc the competent offices: [email protected] (for students with SLD) o [email protected] (for students with disability).
Students with SLD or disability certifications are kindly requested to contact the teacher at least 15 days before the date of the exam session to agree on individual exam requirements. In the email please make sure to add in cc the competent offices: [email protected] (for students with SLD) o [email protected] (for students with disability).
AGR/16 - AGRICULTURAL MICROBIOLOGY - University credits: 6
Laboratories: 8 hours
Lessons: 44 hours
Lessons: 44 hours
Professors:
Crotti Elena Sara, Mapelli Francesca
Shifts:
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)
Reception:
every day by appointment
DeFENS, via Mangiagalli 25, Milano - room 3023
Reception:
every day by appointment
DeFENS, via Mangiagalli 25, Milano - room 3011