Soil and Subsoil Microbiology
A.Y. 2021/2022
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide knowledge to:
- distinguish peculiarities of microorganisms in soil, rhizosphere and in subsoil;
- understand relationships between microorganisms and higher organisms in agro-ecosystems;
- recognize the role of microorganisms in biogeochemical cycles;
- assess the applications of microorganisms in agro-environmental processes;
- estimate the impact of human activities on the environmental microbiota;
- perform soil microbiology and basic molecular biology analyses and be able to interpret analytical results.
- distinguish peculiarities of microorganisms in soil, rhizosphere and in subsoil;
- understand relationships between microorganisms and higher organisms in agro-ecosystems;
- recognize the role of microorganisms in biogeochemical cycles;
- assess the applications of microorganisms in agro-environmental processes;
- estimate the impact of human activities on the environmental microbiota;
- perform soil microbiology and basic molecular biology analyses and be able to interpret analytical results.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course the student is able to:
- understand the role of microbial metabolisms in complex environmental processes;
- perform laboratory analyses of soil microbiology and basic molecular biology;
- be able to contextualize data in a multidisciplinary environment;
- work in a group.
- understand the role of microbial metabolisms in complex environmental processes;
- perform laboratory analyses of soil microbiology and basic molecular biology;
- be able to contextualize data in a multidisciplinary environment;
- work in a group.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
The lectures will be delivered in presence or remotely on the Microsoft Teams platform, according to COVID-19 rules. News will be published on the Ariel site of the course. The class access code is available on the Ariel website of the course.
The practical exercises will be carried out at the didactic laboratories of the headquarters in via Mangiagalli 25, first floor. The required sanitary spacing will be guaranteed. If necessary, students will be able to attend practical classes remotely on the Microsoft Teams platform.
The educational trips will be conducted in compliance with the rules of sanitary spacing.
Oral exams will be conducted in presence or remotely on the Microsoft Teams platform, according to university's rules. The access code is available on the Ariel website of the course.
The practical exercises will be carried out at the didactic laboratories of the headquarters in via Mangiagalli 25, first floor. The required sanitary spacing will be guaranteed. If necessary, students will be able to attend practical classes remotely on the Microsoft Teams platform.
The educational trips will be conducted in compliance with the rules of sanitary spacing.
Oral exams will be conducted in presence or remotely on the Microsoft Teams platform, according to university's rules. The access code is available on the Ariel website of the course.
Course syllabus
Lectures
Microbial ecology: soil habitat, rhizosphere (bacteria and mycorrhizae), deep subsurface and interactions with groundwater, extreme environments. Biogeochemical cycles: the environmental redox scale in the definition of microbial metabolisms related to C, N, S, P, Fe, metals and metalloids. Organic matter biodegradation and creation of soil fertility. Impact of human activities on environmental microbiota: fecal contamination, use of antibiotics. Ecosystem services of microorganisms in sustainable agriculture practices. Bio-fertilizers and microbial inocula. Elements of biological control.
Practical classes
Metabolic characterization of soil microbial communities: Molecular identification of a microbial strain.
Microbial ecology: soil habitat, rhizosphere (bacteria and mycorrhizae), deep subsurface and interactions with groundwater, extreme environments. Biogeochemical cycles: the environmental redox scale in the definition of microbial metabolisms related to C, N, S, P, Fe, metals and metalloids. Organic matter biodegradation and creation of soil fertility. Impact of human activities on environmental microbiota: fecal contamination, use of antibiotics. Ecosystem services of microorganisms in sustainable agriculture practices. Bio-fertilizers and microbial inocula. Elements of biological control.
Practical classes
Metabolic characterization of soil microbial communities: Molecular identification of a microbial strain.
Prerequisites for admission
Knowledge of soil chemist and of general microbiology.
Teaching methods
Lessons. Practical classes. Educational trips.
Teaching Resources
Lecture notes on the Ariel website of the course.
Lecture notes distributed during practical classes (only for attending students)
Collection of scientific articles provided by the teacher and present on the Ariel website of the course.
Text books:
-B. Biavati e C. Sorlini. Microbiologia Agroambientale. Volume unico. 2008. Casa Editrice Ambrosiana.
-M.T. Madigan, J.M. Martinko, K.S. Bender, D.H. Buckley, D.A. Stahl. Brock - Biology of microrganisms. 2016, XIV edition. Ed. Pearson.
Lecture notes distributed during practical classes (only for attending students)
Collection of scientific articles provided by the teacher and present on the Ariel website of the course.
Text books:
-B. Biavati e C. Sorlini. Microbiologia Agroambientale. Volume unico. 2008. Casa Editrice Ambrosiana.
-M.T. Madigan, J.M. Martinko, K.S. Bender, D.H. Buckley, D.A. Stahl. Brock - Biology of microrganisms. 2016, XIV edition. Ed. Pearson.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Oral presentation of a bibliographic review on topics chosen in agreement with the teacher and discussion in light of the course content and laboratory exercises.
The presentation of the laboratory work gives rise to an additional score between 1 and 3 thirtieths.
Non-attending students will perform the examination with oral presentation of the contents of a bibliographic review on topics chosen in accordance with the teacher and discussion in light of the teaching content.
The presentation of the laboratory work gives rise to an additional score between 1 and 3 thirtieths.
Non-attending students will perform the examination with oral presentation of the contents of a bibliographic review on topics chosen in accordance with the teacher and discussion in light of the teaching content.
AGR/16 - AGRICULTURAL MICROBIOLOGY - University credits: 4
Laboratories: 8 hours
Lessons: 28 hours
Lessons: 28 hours
Professors:
Cavalca Lucia, Zecchin Sarah
Professor(s)
Reception:
By appointment
DEFENS-Environmental Microbiology, Via Mangiagalli 25, 3rd floor, office 3021
Reception:
Upon appointment
Via Mangiagalli 25, 20133 Milano, 3° floor