Department of Agricultural Microbiology

Agricultural Microbiology

Genesis

An Agricultural Microbiology Unit was established under the Department of Plant Pathology, College of Horticulture, in 2003. It was subsequently upgraded to a statutory Department of Agricultural Microbiology during May, 2010. A separate building for the department was constructed under ICAR 100 crores special one-time grant in the year 2014. Currently, the department is well-equipped with laboratories and PG class room.

Vision/ Objective

To impart and maintain quality in education, research and extension activities in the field of Agricultural Microbiology

Mandate

To strengthen teaching, research and extension in the field of Agricultural Microbiology

The priority areas include:

• Climate change, its impact on beneficial soil microflora and mitigation of climate change by exploiting microbes
• Soil and plant health management through bioinoculants
• Identification of novel microbes and genes through metagenomics
• Rapid composting of bio-solid waste using microbial agents/ consortia
• Large scale production and distribution of  microbial inoculants
• Documentation of microbial diversity

Facilities

• Well-equipped inoculation lab
• Preparatory lab
• Instrumentation lab
• Molecular biology lab
• Bioinoculants production unit
• Composting unit for bio-solid wastes
• Classroom and lecture hall
• Green house

Faculty strength:

 

Sl. No.	Name	Designation
1	Dr. K. Surendra Gopal	Professor and Head
2	Mr. Saeed T	Assistant Professor
3	Dr.Panchami P.S	Assistant Professor

 

Technical & supporting staff

 

Sl.No.	Name	Designation
1	Mr. Sunil. S	Lab Assistant Gr.III

 

Awards / Recognitions:

• Certificate of Appreciation by KAU for the valuable contributions as Associate Breeder of the Nutmeg variety KAU Pullan, KAU Poothara, KAU Mundathanam, KAU Punnathanam and KAU Kochukudy at a function of Variety Release by State Seed Committee held at KAU Central Auditorium on 26-5-2018 (Dr. K.Surendra Gopal)

Achievements / Major Accomplishments

• The successful commercialization of bioagents in the form of composting tonic for waste management both in large scale as well as household level was made possible.
• Designed KAU Smart Biobin for convenient and efficient composting of household waste generated at the source itself.
• Developed efficient method for the conversion of human hair waste into liquid fertilizer.

• Possibility of using Microbacterium and Celluliosimicrobium as biofertilizer for meeting 25% N requirement in tomato was explored
• A microbial consortia for the fixation and solubilization of N, P and K and fungicidal effect were developed for organic cultivation of ginger. The consortia containing 4 isolates were found to perform better when compared to individual isolates.
• Bacterial diversity of rice rhizosphere cultivated under organic, chemical and integrated nutrient management systems from RARS, Pattambi revealed an increased population of phylum Actinobacteria in field with integrated nutrient management indicating the support of the growth of the beneficial phyla in integrated nutrient management system
• The native phosphate solubilizing bacteria Pseudomonas sp. as along with rock phosphate gave  same pod yield as application of factamphos in cowpea
• Trichoderma harzianum was identified as an effective fungus in abiotic stress tolerance and Phytophthora management in black pepper under both polyhouse and field conditions.
•  Inoculation of Pseudomonas fluorescens  in Pokkali rice fields indicated that the bacteria did not  to survive in Pokkali soils
• Microbial isolates from pepper rhizosphere was studied in planta for the impact of weather and micro-climatic parameters on microorganisms. The population of Azospirilum, Pseudomonas, PSB and Trichoderma showed variation due to impact of weather and micro-climatic parameters on microorganisms.
• Native isolates of Bacillus sp. showed potentiality of being developed into biopesticide. Coconut water was found to be an effective ingredient in the preparation of low cost formulation for the biopesticide
• Biofilm based formulation of Bacillus and Trichoderma obtained from cowpea was the best formulation for increased resistance against collar rot and growth promotion in cowpea under pot culture studies.
• Rhizosphere bacterial diversity of yellowing affected, apparently healthy and completely healthy arecanut palms in Wayanad district were analyzed using metagenomic tools. The phyla Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria, Verrucomicrobia and Bacteroidetes were observed to be high in healthy arecanut palms. The physico-chemical properties of soil and nutrient contents from leaf samples were also found to represent optimum conditions in healthy palms compared to yellowing affected ones.
• Aerobic composting of biosolid wastes were effective with Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus sp. and Trichoderma asperellum isolates. The isolates performed better in both aerobic composting using Thumburmuzhi model composting units and KAU Smart Biobin

 

ACADEMICS

List of Courses offered

Under graduate level

Catalogue No.	Course title	Credit
Micro 2102	Agricultural Microbiology	2 + 1
Elpt. 4208	Microbial Inoculants Production: Biocontrol Agents and Biofertilizers	0 + 10

 

Post graduate level

Catalogue No.	Course title	Credit
Micro 501	Principles of Microbiology	3 + 1
Micro 502	Microbial Physiology and Metabolism	3 + 1
Micro 503	Microbial Genetics	2 + 1
Micro 504	Soil Microbiology	2 + 1
Micro 505	Microbial Biotechnology	2 + 1
Micro 506	Food Microbiology	2 + 1

 

Ph. D level  

Catalogue No.	Course title	Credit
Micro 601	Advances in Fermentation	2 + 1
Micro 602	Advanced Microbial Physiology	2+0
Micro 603	Regulation of Microbial Biosynthesis	2+0
Micro 604	Current Topics in Soil Microbiology	2 + 0
Micro 605	Plant Microbial Interactions	3 + 0
Micro 606	Advances in Microbial Biotechnology	3 + 0

 

EXTENSION SERVICES:

Training, seminars and other services

• Popularization and demonstration of biofertilizers in the tribal areas of Wayanad
• Mass production and sale of biofertilizers, biocontrol agents and composting inoculum
• Training programs on mass production of  bioagents for farmers and stakeholders
• Awareness classes on usage of biofertilizers and household management of biosolid waste organized in panchayats, municipalities and resident associations
• Participation in Exhibitions of VAIGA, Flower show and various other public events
• Organizing meetings for efficient dissemination of technologies on biofertilizer production and waste management
• Consultancy services are provided to farmers and entrepreneurs
• Offering services for microbial analysis of soil, water, biofertilizer and food samples
• Molecular Identification of bacterial and fungal cultures for research purpose

Projects:

Completed Projects: (Major)

Sl. No.	Project	Principal Investigator	Funding Agency	Total Financial Outlay
1	Establishment of a pilot plant for management of solid waste	Dr. D.Girija	KAU	6.0 lakhs
2	Management of biosolid waste of biocontrol lab using microbes	Dr. D. Girija	KAU	2.0 lakhs
3	Microbial inoculant technology for cropping systems of Kerala	Dr. D. Girija	State Planning Board, GoK	18 lakhs
4	Exploitation of native agriculturally important microorganisms for integrated nutrient management in various agro-ecosystems of Kerala	Dr. D. Girija	State Planning Board, GoK	50 lakhs
5	Eco-friendly methods of waste management	Dr. D. Girija	State Planning Board, GoK	7.0 lakhs
6	Standardization of liquid formulations for the shelf life of Azospirillum and phosphate solubilizing bacteria	Dr. K. Surendra Gopal	State Planning Board, GoK	5.24 lakhs
7	Native Actinobacteria for exploitation in biosolid waste management	Dr. D. Girija and       Dr. K.Surendra Gopal	5.0 lakhs	State Planning Board, GoK

 

Ongoing Projects (external aided)

Sl. No.	Project	Principal Investigator	Total Financial outlay	Funding Agency
1	ICAR-All India Network Project on Soil Biodiversity- Biofertilizers-Exploitation of soil biodiversity for popularization of biofertilizers in tribal areas of Wayanad district	Dr. K.Surendra Gopal	62.9 lakhs	ICAR
2	Utilization of human hair as fertilizer	Dr. K.Surendra Gopal	5.0 lakhs	Station funding-Plan Project
4	Centre of Excellence in Microbial Technology-sub-centre	Dr. K.Surendra Gopal	30 lakhs	State Planning Board, GoK

 

            Revolving Fund scheme:

Sl. No.	Project	Principal Investigator	Annual turnover
1	Mass production of bioagents and microbial analysis	Dr. K.Surendra Gopal	8,13,573