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SLM505Agricultural Sciences2 Unitsintermediate

SOIL MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY

This course provides a comprehensive study of soil microbiology and biochemistry. It explores the diverse soil biota, interactions between organisms, and microbial transformations of key elements like nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur. The course also examines enzymatic activities in the soil and the impact of human activities, such as pesticide applications, on soil microflora. It aims to improve understanding of interdisciplinary approaches in agriculture and environmental science.

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325h
Study Time
13
Weeks
25h
Per Week
basic
Math Level
Course Keywords
Soil MicrobiologySoil BiochemistryMicrobial TransformationsSoil EnzymesPesticide Degradation

Course Overview

Everything you need to know about this course

Course Difficulty

Intermediate Level
Builds on foundational knowledge
65%
intermediate
➕
Math Level
Basic Math
🔬
Learning Type
Hands-on Practice

Course Topics

Key areas covered in this course

1

Soil Microbiology

2

Soil Biochemistry

3

Soil Biota

4

Microbial Interactions

5

Microbial Transformations

6

Soil Enzymes

7

Pesticides in Soil

8

Biodegradation

Total Topics8 topics

Ready to Start

No specific requirements needed

This course is designed to be accessible to all students. You can start immediately without any prior knowledge or specific preparation.

Assessment Methods

How your progress will be evaluated (3 methods)

Assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Tutor-Marked Assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Final Examination

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Career Opportunities

Explore the career paths this course opens up for you

Soil Scientist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Environmental Microbiologist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Agricultural Consultant

Apply your skills in this growing field

Bioremediation Specialist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Environmental Scientist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Industry Applications

Real-world sectors where you can apply your knowledge

AgricultureEnvironmental RemediationWaste ManagementSoil ConservationBiotechnology

Study Schedule Beta

A structured 13-week journey through the course content

Week
1

Module 1: Fundamentals

4h

Unit 1: Introduction and Brief History of Soil Microbiology

2 study hours
  • •Read Unit 1: Introduction and Brief History of Soil Microbiology.
  • •Understand the origin and development of soil microbiology.
  • •Identify key figures and their contributions to the field.

Unit 2: Introduction to Soil Biochemistry

2 study hours
  • •Read Unit 2: Introduction to Soil Biochemistry.
  • •Define soil biochemistry and its importance.
  • •Understand the relationship between soil biochemistry and soil microbiology.
Week
2

Module 1: Fundamentals

4h

Unit 3: The Soil Habitat

2 study hours
  • •Read Unit 3: The Soil Habitat.
  • •Define soil habitat and its components.
  • •Understand the factors affecting soil habitat.

Unit 4: Microbial Composition of Soil (Soil Organisms)

2 study hours
  • •Read Unit 4: Microbial Composition of Soil (Soil Organisms).
  • •Identify the major types of soil organisms.
  • •Understand the classification and functions of soil organisms.
Week
3

Module 1: Fundamentals

2h

Unit 5: Physiology of Microbial Growth

2 study hours
  • •Read Unit 5: Physiology of Microbial Growth.
  • •Explain the growth characteristics of soil organisms.
  • •Understand the growth curve and growth equation.
Week
4

Module 2: Microbiology of the Rhizosphere and Microbial Interactions

4h

Unit 1: Rhizosphere Soil

2 study hours
  • •Read Unit 1: Rhizosphere Soil.
  • •Define rhizosphere and spermosphere.
  • •Understand the factors affecting microbial activity in the rhizosphere.

Unit 2: Soil Microbial Interactions

2 study hours
  • •Read Unit 2: Soil Microbial Interactions.
  • •Distinguish the types of interactions among soil microorganisms.
  • •Classify interactions into beneficial or detrimental.
Week
5

Module 2: Microbiology of the Rhizosphere and Microbial Interactions

2h

Unit 3: Non-Symbiotic Vs Symbiotic Associations

2 study hours
  • •Read Unit 3: Non-Symbiotic Vs Symbiotic Associations.
  • •Discuss biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) and its types.
  • •Understand cross inoculation group.
Week
6

Module 2: Microbiology of the Rhizosphere and Microbial Interactions

4h

Unit 4: Rhizobium-Legume Association

2 study hours
  • •Read Unit 4: Rhizobium Association.
  • •Discuss the life cycle of Rhizobium.
  • •Understand its role in soil and on plant roots.

Unit 5: Mycorrhizal Association

2 study hours
  • •Read Unit 5: Mycorrhizal Association.
  • •Discuss mycorrhiza association.
  • •Explain their benefit in agroecosystem.
Week
7

Module 3: Microbial Transformations of Cycles in Soil

4h

Unit 1: Soil Organic Matter Transformation

2 study hours
  • •Read Unit 1: Soil Organic Matter Transformation.
  • •Define soil organic matter.
  • •Explain the various components of soil organic matter.

Unit 2: Nitrogen Transformation

2 study hours
  • •Read Unit 2: Nitrogen Transformation.
  • •Explain the nitrogen cycle.
  • •Discuss its reservoirs.
Week
8

Module 3: Microbial Transformations of Cycles in Soil

4h

Unit 3: Phosphorus Transformation

2 study hours
  • •Read Unit 3: Phosphorus Transformation.
  • •Explain the phosphorus cycle.
  • •Discuss its reservoirs.

Unit 4: Sulphur Transformation

2 study hours
  • •Read Unit 4: Sulphur Transformation.
  • •Discuss the sulphur cycle.
  • •Explain its reservoirs.
Week
9

Module 3: Microbial Transformations of Cycles in Soil

2h

Unit 5: Micronutrient Iron (Fe) Transformation

2 study hours
  • •Read Unit 5: Micronutrient Iron (Fe) Transformation.
  • •Identify iron cycling in soil.
  • •Discuss its reservoirs.
Week
10

Module 4: Soil Enzymes

4h

Unit 1: What are Enzymes?

2 study hours
  • •Read Unit 1: What are Enzymes?
  • •Describe soil enzymes.
  • •Explain the properties of enzymes.

Unit 2: Enzymes Classification and Nomenclature

2 study hours
  • •Read Unit 2: Enzymes Classification and Nomenclature.
  • •Write the trivial and systematic names of enzymes.
  • •Give the figurative representation of enzymes.
Week
11

Module 4: Soil Enzymes

4h

Unit 3: Soil Enzymes Importance in Agriculture

2 study hours
  • •Read Unit 3: Soil Enzymes Importance in Agriculture.
  • •Explain the importance of soil enzymes in agriculture.
  • •Discuss the reactions they catalyse.

Unit 4: Kinetics of Enzyme Reactions in Soil

2 study hours
  • •Read Unit 4: Kinetics of Enzyme Reactions in Soil.
  • •Explain the Michaelis-Menten theory of enzyme reactions.
  • •Derive the Michaelis-Menten equation and other transformations of the equation.
Week
12

Module 4: Soil Enzymes

2h

Unit 5: Enzyme Inhibition

2 study hours
  • •Read Unit 5: Enzyme Inhibition.
  • •Explain an inhibitor and define enzyme inhibition.
  • •Discuss the various types of enzyme inhibition.
Week
13

Module 5: Pesticides in Soil

10h

Unit 1: Nature of Pesticides

2 study hours
  • •Read Unit 1: Nature of Pesticides.
  • •Explain the nature of pesticides.
  • •Discuss the benefits and costs of pesticides.

Unit 2: Behavior of Pesticides in Soil

2 study hours
  • •Read Unit 2: Behavior of Pesticides in Soil.
  • •Identify the various ways in which pesticides move in soil.
  • •Discuss or explain these various modes of action in soil.

Unit 3: Effect of Pesticides on Soil Organism

2 study hours
  • •Read Unit 3: Effect of Pesticides on Soil Organism.
  • •Discuss how pesticides adversely affect various soil organisms.
  • •Explain the effects of pesticides on the beneficial soil microorganism.

Unit 4: Biodegradation of Pesticides

2 study hours
  • •Read Unit 4: Biodegradation of Pesticides.
  • •Explain biodegradation.
  • •Discuss the various reactions of biodegradation.

Unit 5: Pesticide Persistence in Soil

2 study hours
  • •Read Unit 5: Pesticide Persistence in Soil.
  • •Explain what pesticide persistence means.
  • •Enumerate the effects of persistence of pesticides in soil.

This study schedule is in beta and may not be accurate. Please use it as a guide and consult the course outline for the most accurate information.

Course PDF Material

Read the complete course material as provided by NOUN.

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Study Tips & Exam Preparation

Expert tips to help you succeed in this course

1

Create detailed concept maps linking key processes in the nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur cycles (Units 11-15).

2

Practice solving Michaelis-Menten equation problems from Unit 19 to master enzyme kinetics.

3

Review the classification of soil organisms (Unit 4) and their roles in nutrient cycling.

4

Focus on understanding the different types of enzyme inhibition (Unit 20) and their effects on soil processes.

5

Study the various factors affecting symbiotic nitrogen fixation (Unit 12) and their management implications.

6

Prepare diagrams illustrating the fate of pesticides in soil (Unit 23) and their potential environmental impacts.

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