Fungi, Plant Pathology and Microbiology

Paper Code: 
25BOT124
Credits: 
4
Contact Hours: 
60.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 

This course will enable the students to:

  1. To provide an insight into the basic life processes of fungi and their disease causing ability along with their economic implications.
  2. To make the students learn about classification, characteristics, ultra-structure of Prokaryotic and    Eukaryotic microbes
  3. To facilitate study of a wide spectrum of plant disease, cause, symptom and control measures
  4. To make the students know about organisms and causal factor responsible for plant diseases & methods of studying plant diseases

 

Course Outcomes: 

Course

Course Outcomes

Learning and teaching strategies

Assessment Strategies

Course Code

Course Title

25BOT124

 

Fungi, Plant Pathology and Microbiology

 

CO19:  Compile and integrate data on the cellular biology, diversity, ecological impact, and host interactions of Bacteria, Viruses, and Phytoplasma.

CO20: Analyze and asses the intricacies of characters of fungi including heterothallism and parasexuality & would demonstrate proficiency in identifying & classifying fungal species, while also designing innovative strategies for fungal control and biotechnological applications in agriculture, medicine, and environmental management.

CO21: Categorize and outline the traits and life cycles of key fungal divisions, & predicting their economic significance and sustainable use, while evaluating their ecological contributions.

CO22: Comprehend understanding of plant pathology analyzing pathogen attack and plant defense mechanisms, to propose disease prevention strategies and innovate sustainable approaches.

CO23; Develop expertise in identifying, diagnosing, and managing bacterial and fungal plant diseases. They will be able analyze disease symptoms critically, assess management methods, and propose pioneer sustainable solutions for disease prevention and control.

CO24: Contribute effectively in course-specific interaction.

Approach in Teaching:

Interactive

Lectures

Powerpoint presentation, Animations, Tutorials

Learning Activities for the students:

Peer teaching, Model preparation,

Seminars

Think-pair-share, Flipped classroom

 

 

 

 

 

Graded papers Class test, Semester end examinations, Quiz, Solving problems in tutorials, Assignments, Presentation, Flipped classrooms.

 

12.00
Unit I: 
Bacteria, Viruses & Phytoplasma

Archaebacteria and Eubacteria: General account, growth, ultrastructure, reproduction, nutrition and economic importance.

Viruses: Characteristics and ultrastructure of virions; isolation and purification of viruses; replication, transmission of viruses and their economic importance.

Phytoplasma: General characters and role in plant diseases.

Contributors: Eminent scientists with their contribution in the field of microbiology, mycology and plant pathology- Anton Van Leeuwenhoek, Robert Koch, Butler, K.C. Mehta, Blackeslee.

 

12.00
Unit II: 
Fungi I

General characters of Fungi, cell ultrastructure, unicellular and multicellular organization, cell wall composition, nutrition (saprotrophic, biotrophic, symbiotic), reproduction (vegetative, asexual, sexual), heterothallism, heterokaryosis, parasexuality, recent trends in classification, fungi in industry, medicine and food, fungi as biocontrol agents.

 

12.00
Unit III: 
Fungi II

General characters, classification, economic importance and life history of-

Mastigomycotina, Zygomycotina, Ascomycotina, Basidiomycotina, Deuteromycotina with special reference to Sclerospora, Pilobolus, -Morchella, Peziza, Ustilago, Puccinia and Cercospora.

 

 

12.00
Unit IV: 
Plant Pathology I

History and scope of plant pathology, general account of diseases caused by plant pathogens, pathogen attack and defense mechanisms: physical, biochemical and molecular aspects, plant disease management: chemical and biological, IPM systems.

Symptomatology, identification, causal organism, disease cycle and control of following plant diseases-

Viral diseases: Tobacco mosaic.

Phytoplasma diseases: Little leaf of brinjal

Nematode diseases:  Root knot of vegetables   

 

12.00
Unit V: 
Plant Pathology II

Symptomatology, identification, causal organism, disease cycle and control of following plant diseases-

Fungal diseases: Wheat (Rust, Smut, Bunt), Bajra (Green ear, Ergot); Paddy (Paddy blast), Cotton (Wilt), Grapes (Downy and Powdery mildew)

Bacterial diseases: Wheat (Tundu), Sesamum phyllode.

 

Essential Readings: 
  • Alexopoulos, C. J., Mims, C. W., & Blackwell, M. (2014). Introductory mycology. New Delhi: Wiley India Pvt. Ltd.
  •  Bilgrami, K. S., Verma, R. N. (1981). Physiology of Fungi. India: Vikas Publishing House Pvt Limited.
  • Dickinson, M., & In Beynon, J. (2020). Molecular plant pathology. Blackwell.
  • Dube, H. C. (2013). An Introduction to Fungi, 4th Ed.. India: Scientific Publisher: India.
  • Dube, H.C. (2016). Modern Plant Pathology. Agrobios India
  • Joan, W. (2017). Mycology. Curbside Splendor Publishing.
  • Lucas, J. A. (2020). Plant pathology and plant pathogens. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley Blackwell, 2020.
  • Mehrota, R. S., Aneja, K. R. (2015). An Introduction to Mycology. India: New Age International (P) Limited, Publishers.
  • Mehrotra R.S and Aggarwal A. (2013). Fundamentals of Plant Pathology.  Tata McGraw Hill, New Delhi
  • Narayana, M. P. (2010). Information technology, plant pathology & biodiversity. Jaipur: Oxford Book Co.
  • Narayanswamy, P. (2016) Microbial Plant Pathogens and Crop Disease Management. Oxford & IBH Publishing Co. Pvt. Ltd.
  • Pandey, B.P. (2017). Botany for Degree Students: Biodiversity. S.Chand and Company, New Delhi.
  • Pathak, Khatri, Pathak. (2015). Fundamentals of Plant Pathology. Agrobios. Jodhpur.
  • Sharma, O. (1989). Textbook of Fungi. India: Tata McGraw-Hill.
  • Sharma, P. D. (2017). Plant Pathology: A Text Book for University Students with Colored Plates. India: Rastogi Publications.
  • Singh, R.S.(2017). Introduction to Principles of Plant Pathology. . CBS Publishers & Distributors
  • Trivedi, P.C. (2002). Plant Disease Management. Aaviskaar Publishers.
  • Vashishta B.R./ Sinha A.K. & Kumar. Botany for Degree Students: Fungi 2020. Adarsh. S.Chand and Company, New Delhi.
  • Walsh, T. J., Hayden, R. T., Larone, D. H. (2020). Larone's Medically Important Fungi: A Guide to Identification. United States: Wiley.
  • Webster, J. (2006). Mycology. Gottingen: IWF Wissen und Medien.

 

Suggested Readings:

  • Alexopoulos CJ, Mims, C.W., Blackwell, M. (2000).  Introductory Mycology. National Book Foundation (U.S)
  • General Concepts in Integrated Pest and Disease Management. (2007). Netherlands: Springer Netherlands.
  • Horst, R. K. (2013). Field Manual of Diseases on Fruits and Vegetables. Netherlands: Springer Netherlands.
  • Horst, R. K. (2013). Field Manual of Diseases on Fruits and Vegetables. Netherlands: Springer Netherlands.
  • Rangaswami, G. and Mahadevan A. (2013). Diseases of Crop Plants in India. Prentice Hall of India Pvt. Ltd.
  • Webster, J., Weber, R., Weber, R. W. S. (2007). Introduction to fungi. United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press.

 

References: 

e-Resources:

Journals:

  • Fungal Plant Pathogenesis (Academic Open Publishing House)
  • Journal of Plant Pathology (Springer)
  • Fungal Biology (Elsevier)
  • Journal of Fungi (Academic Open Publishing House)

 

Academic Year: 
2025-2026
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