SOIL MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY
- Agricultural Sciences
- 500 level
- 2 credit units
- 146 pages
- 24 units
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.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 325 hours
- Maths
- Basic
- Content
- Theoretical, practical, case study
- Practical work
- Yes
- Assignments
- Tutor Marked Assignments
- Final Examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of SLM505, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
SLM505 · UNIT 2: INTRODUCTION TO SOIL BIOCHEMISTRY
Soil Microbiology is defined as the study of microorganisms that live in the soil; their metabolic activity, their roles in energy flow, and importance in nutrient cycling. The soil science society of America defines soil microbiology as “the branch of soil science concerned with soil inhabiting microorganisms, their functions and activities.
What you should be able to do
- Define soil microbiology and biochemistry and their contributions to agriculture.
- Explain the major types of soil organisms and their beneficial roles.
- Describe microbial soil interactions and transformations.
- Define and classify enzymes and their functions in agricultural ecosystems.
- Discuss the effects of pesticides on soil microorganisms and their degradation.
- Apply knowledge of soil microbiology and biochemistry to improve soil fertility and crop productivity.
What it prepares you for
- Soil Scientist
- Environmental Microbiologist
- Agricultural Consultant
- Bioremediation Specialist
- Environmental Scientist
- Agriculture
- Environmental Remediation
- Waste Management
- Soil Conservation
- Biotechnology
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 3: Microbial Transformations of Cycles in Soil
Unit 2: Nitrogen Transformation
The complex interplay of oxidation states and microbial processes requires a strong foundation in chemistry and microbiology.
- Module 4: Soil Enzymes
Unit 4: Kinetics of Enzyme Reactions in Soil
Understanding enzyme kinetics and the Michaelis-Menten equation requires a solid grasp of calculus and reaction mechanisms.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 50 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1: Fundamentals
Unit 1: Introduction and Brief History of Soil Microbiology · 2 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 hours
Read Unit 2: Introduction to Soil Biochemistry.. Define soil biochemistry and its importance.. Understand the relationship between soil biochemistry and soil microbiology..
- Week 2Module 1: Fundamentals
Unit 3: The Soil Habitat · 2 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 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 3Module 1: Fundamentals
Unit 5: Physiology of Microbial Growth · 2 hours
Read Unit 5: Physiology of Microbial Growth.. Explain the growth characteristics of soil organisms.. Understand the growth curve and growth equation..
- Week 4Module 2: Microbiology of the Rhizosphere and Microbial Interactions
Unit 1: Rhizosphere Soil · 2 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 hours
Read Unit 2: Soil Microbial Interactions.. Distinguish the types of interactions among soil microorganisms.. Classify interactions into beneficial or detrimental..
- Week 5Module 2: Microbiology of the Rhizosphere and Microbial Interactions
Unit 3: Non-Symbiotic Vs Symbiotic Associations · 2 hours
Read Unit 3: Non-Symbiotic Vs Symbiotic Associations.. Discuss biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) and its types.. Understand cross inoculation group..
- Week 6Module 2: Microbiology of the Rhizosphere and Microbial Interactions
Unit 4: Rhizobium-Legume Association · 2 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 hours
Read Unit 5: Mycorrhizal Association.. Discuss mycorrhiza association.. Explain their benefit in agroecosystem..
- Week 7Module 3: Microbial Transformations of Cycles in Soil
Unit 1: Soil Organic Matter Transformation · 2 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 hours
Read Unit 2: Nitrogen Transformation.. Explain the nitrogen cycle.. Discuss its reservoirs..
- Week 8Module 3: Microbial Transformations of Cycles in Soil
Unit 3: Phosphorus Transformation · 2 hours
Read Unit 3: Phosphorus Transformation.. Explain the phosphorus cycle.. Discuss its reservoirs..
Unit 4: Sulphur Transformation · 2 hours
Read Unit 4: Sulphur Transformation.. Discuss the sulphur cycle.. Explain its reservoirs..
- Week 9Module 3: Microbial Transformations of Cycles in Soil
Unit 5: Micronutrient Iron (Fe) Transformation · 2 hours
Read Unit 5: Micronutrient Iron (Fe) Transformation.. Identify iron cycling in soil.. Discuss its reservoirs..
- Week 10Module 4: Soil Enzymes
Unit 1: What are Enzymes? · 2 hours
Read Unit 1: What are Enzymes?. Describe soil enzymes.. Explain the properties of enzymes..
Unit 2: Enzymes Classification and Nomenclature · 2 hours
Read Unit 2: Enzymes Classification and Nomenclature.. Write the trivial and systematic names of enzymes.. Give the figurative representation of enzymes..
- Week 11Module 4: Soil Enzymes
Unit 3: Soil Enzymes Importance in Agriculture · 2 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 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 12Module 4: Soil Enzymes
Unit 5: Enzyme Inhibition · 2 hours
Read Unit 5: Enzyme Inhibition.. Explain an inhibitor and define enzyme inhibition.. Discuss the various types of enzyme inhibition..
- Week 13Module 5: Pesticides in Soil
Unit 1: Nature of Pesticides · 2 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 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 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 hours
Read Unit 4: Biodegradation of Pesticides.. Explain biodegradation.. Discuss the various reactions of biodegradation..
Unit 5: Pesticide Persistence in Soil · 2 hours
Read Unit 5: Pesticide Persistence in Soil.. Explain what pesticide persistence means.. Enumerate the effects of persistence of pesticides in soil..
Preparing for the exam
- Create detailed concept maps linking key processes in the nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur cycles (Units 11-15).
- Practice solving Michaelis-Menten equation problems from Unit 19 to master enzyme kinetics.
- Review the classification of soil organisms (Unit 4) and their roles in nutrient cycling.
- Focus on understanding the different types of enzyme inhibition (Unit 20) and their effects on soil processes.
- Study the various factors affecting symbiotic nitrogen fixation (Unit 12) and their management implications.
- Prepare diagrams illustrating the fate of pesticides in soil (Unit 23) and their potential environmental impacts.
Questions students ask about this course
What is SLM505 about?
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.
How many units does SLM505 have?
SLM505, SOIL MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY, has 24 units across 5 modules, over 146 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is SLM505?
SLM505 carries 2 credit units, at 500 level in Agricultural Sciences.
Is SLM505 hard?
SLM505 is rated intermediate level, with basic mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical, practical and case study work, and it has a practical component.
How long does SLM505 take to study?
About 325 hours of study, spread across its 24 units.
How is SLM505 assessed?
SLM505 is assessed by Assignments, Tutor Marked Assignments and Final Examination.
What can I do with SLM505?
Soil Scientist, Environmental Microbiologist, Agricultural Consultant, Bioremediation Specialist and Environmental Scientist.