Teaching code

4S003259

Credits

6

Coordinatore

Silvia Lampis

Language

Italian

Scientific Disciplinary Sector (SSD)

BIO/19 - MICROBIOLOGY

Moodle Seminars

The teaching is organized as follows:

Learning objectives

This course aims at elucidating the influence of the soil environment on settlement and activity of the microbial cenoses (microbiomes) in different pedoclimatic conditions. Students will acquire a comprehensive overview of both main physical and chemical properties of soils and the major phyla of microorganisms occurring in this system. Moreover, student s will learn the methods for their quantitative estimation as well as for the characterization of their physiological properties either in bulk soil or in the rhizosphere. Particular emphasis will be given to plant-microbe interactions, with a special attention to PGPR (Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria) and bacterial endophytes. Symbiotic nitrogen fixation and different mycorrhizal associations will be also discussed. The understanding of biotic and abiotic components charactering the soil system will allow students to approach, in a correct and multidisciplinary way, environment-friendly strategies for the improvement of crop productivity, the biological control of plant pathogens and biodegradation/bioremediation of contaminated sites.

Prerequisites and basic notions

Fundamentals of General Microbiology

Program

Part I – Soil microbial coenoses Microbial biodiversity in soil not explored by roots and in the rhizosphere. Methods for quantitative estimation and qualitative characterization (taxonomy) of soil microbial populations. Measurement of biological activity in soil: biomass and active metabolic reactions. Effect of physicochemical and edaphic factors on soil microbial coenosis: water content and availability, pH, oxygen concentration and redox potential, nutrient concentration, presence of xenobiotic compounds and heavy metals. Meaning of soil microbial biodiversity with respect to biogeochemical cycles. Part II – Interactions between soil microorganisms and plants Interactions between microorganisms. Influence of microorganisms on plants. Influence of plants on microorganisms. Microorganisms with PGP (Plant Growth Promoting) traits. Diazotrophic symbiosis: rhizobia and associations with leguminous plants. Mycorrhizal associations: ectomycorrhizae, endomycorrhizae with particular emphasis on arbuscular mycorrhizae (AM), ecto-endomycorrhizae. Part III – Biotechnological management of the rhizospheric microbiome Prospects for the development of innovative strategies for the sustainable cultivation of plant species of agricultural interest, for the biological control of phytopathogens and for the biological remediation of contaminated soils through the conditioning of the rhizosphere microbiome.

Bibliography

Didactic methods

Classroom lessons with slides and discussion of scientific articles

Learning assessment procedures

The learning verification method includes an oral test, lasting about 30 minutes, aimed at ascertaining both the acquisition of the knowledge defined in the 'Training Objectives' of the course and the ability to make the necessary logical-deductive connections. The verification usually consists of three questions concerning the teaching programme.

Evaluation criteria

The completeness and accuracy of the knowledge acquired will be evaluated, as well as the presentation ability. The exam procedure is the same for both attending and non-attending students.

Criteria for the composition of the final grade

The final grade will be established on the basis of the answers obtained from the 3 questions formulated

Exam language

ITALIANO