Undergraduate courses offered by Department

5-year Integrated M.Sc. (Hons) in Botany

BOT-111   Basic Botany 2+0       Sem-I

Plant kingdom and features of each group. Morphology, modifications and functions of root, stem, leaf, flower and inflorescence. Pollination and fertilization. Fruit types. Structure of dicot and monocot seed, and seed germination. Cell structure. DNA, chromosome and genes. Cell and tissue types. Internal structure of root, stem and leaf. Plant taxonomy, systems of classification. Characteristics and economic importance of Poaceae, Brassicaceae, Fabaceae, Malvaceae, Rutaceae, Rosaceae, Asteraceae and Solanaceae families.

BOT-211  Plant Physiology  2+1              Sem-I

Plant physiology, its scope in agriculture. Osmosis, imbibition, water absorption, water translocation and transpiration. Stomatal mechanisms. Physiological role and deficiency symptoms of major and minor elements. Absorption and translocation of minerals. Concepts of photosynthesis, photorespiration, respiration and translocation of photoassimilates. Dynamics of growth. Stress physiology. Nitrogen and sulphur metabolism. Plant growth regulators. Their biosynthesis and physiological roles, seed germination and seed dormancy, senescence,

vernalization.

Practical : Demonstration of processes of diffusion, osmosis, imbibition and plasmolysis. Ascent of sap, transpiration. Deficiency symptoms of nutrients in crop plants. Plant growth analysis. Quantitative and qualitative estimation of plant pigments. Experiments on photosynthesis and respiration. Effects of plant growth regulators on plant growth and seed germination. Experiments on seed dormancy. Relative water content and plant water potential. Proline estimation

BOT- 311 Fundamentals of Crop Physiology             2+1                Sem-I

Definitions of plant physiology and crop physiology; Importance of crop physiology; Relationship of crop physiology with other branches of crop science; Diffusion and osmosis; Physiological roles of water to crop plants; Definition of water potential and components of water potential; Water absorption by plants: Concept of active and passive absorption; Water loss by plants: Types of water loss: transpiration, stomatal physiology and guttation; Water use efficiency; Essential and beneficial elements; Passive and active transport of mineral element; Functions of essential elements; Criteria of essentiality of nutrients; Correction measures for nutrient deficiency symptoms; Foliar nutrition and root feeding – significance; Aeroponics Imbibition; Field capacity, permanent wilting point and available soil moisture; Apoplast, symplast and transmembrane, Ascent of sap – theories and mechanism; Soil-plant-atmospheric continuum. Significance of transpiration. Stomatal opening and closing mechanisms. Definition of Cavitation and embolism. Antitranspirants – types and examples. Hydroponics and sand culture. Overview of plant cell – organelle and their functions. Brief outline of: Photosynthetic apparatus, pigment system, quantum requirement and quantum yield; Structure of chloroplast, Examples of different photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll, carotenoids, phycobilins etc.), Difference between chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b, Structure of chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b, Short discussion on quantum requirement and quantum yield, Red drop and Emerson enhancement effect, Pigment system I and II. Introduction to light reaction of photosynthesis, Light absorption by photosynthetic pigments and transfer of energy. Source of O2 during photosynthesis: Hill reaction; Brief introduction to cyclic and non-cyclic photo-phosphorylation: production of assimilatory powers; Introduction to C3, C4 and CAM pathways: Calvin Cycle, Hatch and Slack Cycle, CAM Cycle; Significance of these pathways (concept of photorespiration, absence of photorespiration in C4 plant: Productivity of C4 plant, CAM: an adaptive mechanism); Factors affecting photosynthesis (light, temperature, CO2, O2 etc.). Outline of the processof respiration: Definition and importance, Glycolysis, Kreb Cycle and ETC, Factors affecting respiration (O2, temperature, CO2 etc.). Terminologies / Definitions: Growth, Development and Differentiation. Measurement of plant growth (fresh weight, dry weight, linear dimension, area etc.). Introduction to CGR, RGR, NAR etc. Photoperiodism: Photoperiodic Classification of plants: Short Day Plant, Long Day Plant, Day Neutral plantetc. Introduction to Photoperiodic induction site of photo-inductive perception, Role of Phytochrome Introduction to Vernalization (What is vernalization, devernalization etc.), Meaning, classification (seasonal, sequential etc), relation with abscission. Physiological and biochemical changes during senescence, Abscission and its significance, Concept of stay green, Hormonal regulation of senescence. Terminologies / Definitions: Plant hormone,

Plant growth regulators (PGR), Plant growth inhibitor. Recognized classes of PGR (Auxins, Gibberellins, Cytokinins, Ethylene and Abscisic acid) and their major physiological roles, Agricultural uses of PGRs (IBA, NAA, 2, 4 –D, GAs, Kinetin etc).

Practical: Study on structure and distribution of stomata; Demonstration of imbibition, osmosis, plasmolysis, estimation of water potential, relative water content; Tissue test for mineral nutrients, identification of nutrient deficiency and toxicity symptoms in plant; Identification of nutrients by hydroponics; Estimation of photosynthetic pigments, rate of photosynthesis, respiration and transpiration; Plant growth analysis; Study on senescence and abscission, hormonal regulation of senescence; Demonstration of the effects of different PGRs on plants, Leaf anatomy of C3 and C4 plants.

BOT-313 Introductory Crop Physiology 1+1              Sem-I

Water Relations in Plants: Role of water in plant metabolism, osmosis inhibition, diffusion,water potential and its components, measurement of water potential in plants, absorption of water, mechanism of absorption and ascent of sap. Stomata: Structure, distribution, classification, mechanism of opening and closing of stomata. Osmotic pressure, guttation, stem bleeding; transpiration methods and mechanism and factors affecting transpiration. Drought: Different types of stresses; water, heat and cold tolerance; mechanism of tolerance. Plant Nutrition: Essentiality, mechanism of absorption and its role in plant metabolism. Biological Nitrogen Fixation. Photosynthesis, structure and function of chloroplast, dark and light reactions, cyclic and on-cyclic electron transfer, CO2 fixation – C3, C4 and CA metabolism, advantages of C4 pathway. Photorespiration and its implications, factors affecting photosynthesis. Mode of herbicide action, Secondary metabolites and plant defense.

Practical: Measurement of water potential, osmosis, root pressure, structure of the stomata, distribution, opening and closing of the stomata, measurement, transpiration and calculation of transpiration pull demonstration. Importance of light and chlorophyll in photosynthesis, pigment identification in horticultural crops, measurement of relative water content (RWC), studying plant movements.

BOT-315   Growth and Development of Horticulture crops                        2+1               Sem-I

Growth and development-definitions, components, photosynthetic productivity, Canopy photosynthesis and productivity, leaf area index (LAI) – optimum LAI in horticultural crops, canopy development; different stages of growth, growth curves, Crop development and dynamics (Case studies of annual/perennial horticultural crops), growth analysis in horticultural crops. Plant bio-regulators- auxin, gibberellin, cytokinin, ethylene inhibitors and retardants, basic functions, biosynthesis, role in crop growth and development, propagation, flowering, fruit setting, fruit thinning, fruit development, fruit drop, and fruit ripening. Flowering-factors affecting flowering, physiology of flowering, photoperiodism-long day, short day and day neutral plants, vernalization and its application in horticulture, pruning and training physiological basis of training and pruningsource and sink relationship, translocation of assimilates. Physiology of seed development and maturation, seed dormancy and bud dormancy, causes and breaking methods in horticultural crops. Physiology of fruit growth and development, fruit setting, factors affecting fruit set and development, physiology of ripening of fruits-climatic and non-climacteric fruits. Physiology of fruits under postharvest storage.

Practical :Estimation of photosynthetic potential of horticultural crops, leaf area index, growth analysis parameters including harvest index, bioassay of plant hormones, identification of synthetic plant hormones and growth retardants, preparations of hormonal solution and induction of rooting in cuttings, ripening of fruits and control of flower and fruit drop. Important physiological disorders and their remedial measures in fruits and vegetables, seed dormancy, seed germination and breaking seed dormancy with chemicals and growth regulators.

5-year Integrated M.Sc. (Hons) in Botany

BOT-101   Elementary Botany     2+1    Sem. I

Plant kingdom: Features of each group, Branches of Botany, Morphology of root, stem, leaf, Morphology of flower, Inflorescence and its different types, Pollination and fertilization, Morphology of fruits,Types of seeds, Cell structure, Tissue and its different types, Internal structure of root, stem and leaf, Plant taxonomy & systems of classification, Characteristics and economic importance of Cruciferae, Malvaceae, Rutaceae, Rosaceae, Leguminosae, Cucurbitaceae, Asteraceae, Solanaceae, Liliaceae and Poaceae

Practical: Salient features of each group of plant kingdom, Morphology of a typical angiospermic plant, Root morphology and modifications, Stem morphology and modifications, Leaf morphology and modifications, Structure of flower and types of inflorescences, Structure of various types of fruits and seeds, Cell structure and its inclusions, Study of dicot root, stem and leaf, Study of monocot root stem and leaf, Study of representative members of families of Angiosperms

BOT-102    Plant Diversity-I (Algae, Fungi & Lichens)                            2+1        Sem. I

Introduction to Algae, Classification of algae, Comparative morphology, Reproduction & perennation, Economic importance of algae, Interrelationships and evolutionary tendencies of algae, Structure, reproduction & life cycle of algal species belonging to Chlorophyta – Spirogyra, Introduction to Fungi, Classification fungi, General Characteristics of Phycomycetes, Ascomycetes, Basidiomycetes and Fungi imperfecti, Structure, reproduction & life cycle of fungi species belonging to Ascomycetes – Yeastand Basidiomycetes – Agaricus, Lichens – General characteristics, classification, economic importance   Lecture Schedule

Practical: Study of the morphology of different algae and fungi, Monographic study of some important algae and fungi, Study of the morphology of Lichens

BOT-103  Plant Diversity-II (Bryophytes, Pteridophytes and Gymnosperms)   2+1 Sem.II

Introduction; general characteristics of bryophytes- gametophytic and sporophytic phase, sexual and asexual reproduction, life cycle of bryophytes, Classification of bryophytes, Economic importance of bryophytes, General characteristics- structure of gametophyte, sporophyte, sexual and asexual reproduction of Hepaticopsida- Marchantia, Introduction; general characteristics of pteridophytes- gametophytic and sporophytic phase, reproduction in pteridophytes, life cycle of pteridophytes, Classification of pteridophytes, Economic importance of pteridophytes, General characteristics- structure of gametophyte, sporophyte, sexual and asexual reproduction of Selaginella, Heterospory and seed habit in pteridophytes. Introduction and general characteristics of gymnosperms, Classification of gymnosperms, General characteristics- structure of gametophyte, sporophyte, sexual and asexual reproduction of Cycas and Pinus, Process of fossilization, Differences between gymnosperms and higher cryptogams 

Practical: Study of morphology and reproduction of Marchantia, Study of morphology and reproduction of Selaginella, Study of morphology and reproduction of Cycas and Pinus

BOT-104  Plant Biodiversity and Conservation                   2+1        Sem. II

Concept of biodiversity, Conservation and protection of biodiversity for its suitable utilization, Biodiversity hot spots, in-situ and ex-situ methods of biodiversity conservation, Diversification of cropping system, Vulnerability and extinction of species, Endangered species in various ecosystems; use of plant species to check deforestation and desertification, Germplasm banks, Response of plants to environmental stresses, Environmental impact assessment, Phytoremediation, International and national institutes of plant genetic resources

Practical: Sampling of populations, determine minimum size of quadrat by species area curve method, determine minimum number of quadrats required for sampling, determine density, abundance and frequency of a given plant by quadrat method, excursion and field visits, effect of environmental factors on plant growth

BOT-201 Plant Morphology      3+1   Sem. I

Morphological characters, parts, types, modifications and functions of root, stem and leaf; flower: definition, origin of floral leaves, morphology of dicot and monocot flower, inflorescence: definition, characteristics and its types; morphology of calyx and corolla;structure and morphological nature of stamen, staminodes; morphology of the carpel: vasculature and interpretation of inferior ovary; types of placentation; form, orientation and the nature of ovules; fruit: definition, characters, evolutionary relationship of fruit types; morphology of seed: structure of dicot and monocot seed, germination and function; detailed morphology of important crop plants: cereals, pulses, fibre crops and oilseeds.      

Practical: Examination of morphology and modification of root, stem and leaf, flower and types of inflorescence; morphology of calyx and corolla, stamen, carpel, types of placentation through permanent slides, study of different types of ovules, structure of various types of fruits and seeds; study of morphology of crop plants reprenting cereals, pulses, fibre and oilseed crop plants

BOT-202 Plant Anatomy                                                       3+1   Sem. I

Introduction and scope of plant anatomy; ultrastructure of cell and its inclusions; cell wall organization: structure and its growth; tissues and tissue systems: evolutionary concepts of the tissues; meristems;organization of shoot apex, organization of root apex; structure and function of cambium and its seasonal activities; anatomy of root (dicot and monocot); anatomy of stem (dicot and monocot); anatomy of leaf (dicot and monocot), stomatal classification; anatomy of flower; secondary growth in root and stem, sap and heartwood, ring and diffused porous wood, early and late wood, tyloses, development and composition of periderm and lenticles; anomalous stem growth.

Practical: Study of cell types, stomata types, trichomes by the preparation of permanent and temporary slides, Study of anatomical details through permanent slides, museum specimens of apical meristem of root, stem and vascular cambium, preparation of permanent slides of dicot and monocot root, stem and leaf, anatomy of C4 leaves (Kranz anatomy), anatomical study of flower, study of secondary growth in root and stem by permanent slides, anomalous structures in monocot and dicot stem

BOT-203 Cell Biology, Genetics and Evolution of plants 3+0     Sem. II

Cell structure and function, structure of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell, cell membrane and cell wall, cell organelle’s structure and function, chemical constituents of living cells, biomolecule’s structure and function of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids and nucleic acids, cell theory, cell division, cell cycle, mitosis and meiosis,  Heredity and variation: Mendelian Inheritance; Deviations from Mendelism- Incomplete dominance, Co-dominance, Multiple alleles and Inheritance of blood groups, Pleiotropy; Elementary idea of polygenic inheritance; Chromosome theory of inheritance; Chromosomes and genes, Sex linked inheritance, Molecular Basis of Inheritance: Search for genetic material and DNA as genetic material; Structure of DNA and RNA; DNApackaging; DNA replication; Central dogma; Transcription, genetic code, translation; Gene expression and regulation- Lac Operon; Genome and human genome project; DNA finger printing. Evolution: Origin of life, Biological evolution and evidences for biological evolution (Paleontological, Comparative anatomy, embryology and molecularevidence); Darwin’s contribution,  Modern Synthetic theory of Evolution; Mechanism of evolution-Variation (Mutation and Recombination) and Natural Selection with examples, types of natural selection; Gene flow and genetic drift; Hardy-Weinberg’s principle; Adaptive Radiation.

BOT-204   Systematic Botany                      2+1   Sem. II

Introduction of systematics;history of taxonomy, plant identification;modern systems of classification; principles of taxonomy;detailed study of Bentham and Hookers system; international rules of nomenclature; important botanical gardens and herbaria of the world and India; Concept of taxon; typification, author citation, principles of priority and its limitations, origin and evolution of angiospermsgeneral account of floral variation and economic importance of representative families of various orders of the series: Thalamiflorae, Disciflorae, Calyciflorae. Inferae, Heteromerae, Curvembryeae, Mutliovulataeaquaticae, Mutliovulataeterrestris, Microembryeae, Daphnales, Achlamydosporae, Unisexuales and Ordinesanomali. Evolution of families from the series: Microspermae, Epigynae, Coronarieae, Nudiflorae, Apocarpeae and Glumaceae. 

Practical: Study of vegetative and floral characters of the following families (description, V.S of flower, section of ovary, floral diagrams, floral fomula and systematic position) according to Bentham & Hookers system of classification: Malvaceae, Brassicaceae, Myrtaceae, Umbelliferae, Asteraceae, Solanaceae, Lamiaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Poaceae, Field visit, mounting of a properly dried and pressed specimen of wild plants with herbarium label.

BOT-205 Plant Ecology                         2+1   Sem. II

Basic concepts and scope of ecology, autecology, synecology, history, levels of organization; soil: origin, formation, composition, physical, chemical and biological components, soil profile; dynamics of ecosystems: types of ecosystems, components of food chain and models of energy flow; species interaction: autotrophy, heterotrophy, symbiosis, commensalism, parasitism, ammensalism, mutualism, protocooperation; ecological pyramids: types of ecological pyramids, trophic organization, production and productivity; Succession: processes, types and climax concepts; community structure and dynamics: characteristics and dynamics of population, habitat and niche, ecotone and edge effect, biological spectrum, life forms; biogeochemical cycle: carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus; environment pollution: soil, water and air pollution, its causes, effects and preventive measures; environmental impact assessment: definition, role in India and protocol while pursuing EIA.

Practical: Experiments on community structure and dynamics, floristic composition, succession, Experiments on pollution, Economic importance of microbes, plants and animals.

BOT-206 Plant Biotechnology                         2+1     Sem. II

Introduction, totipotency, explant, tissue culture, nutrition medium, sterilization techniques, cytodifferentiation, and organogenesis, types of culture, micropropagation, haploid plant production, artificial seeds, somatic hybridization, protoplast germplasm conservation, transgenics, recombinant DNA technology, cloning vectors, gene cloning, gene transfer methods, PCR, blotting techniques, DNA fingerprinting, molecular markers and probes.

Practical: Preparation of culture medium; sterilization techniques; types of culture; micropropagation through bud culture; pollen/anther culture and confirmation of ploidy status of regenerated plant callus; mature and immature embryo culture for callus induction; isolation of protoplast for culture; preparation of LS medium and isolation of plasmid DNA from bacterial host; PCR; gel electrophoresis and southern blotting; methods of gene transfer with reference to gene gun and agrobacterium mediated gene transfer.

BOT–301  Plant Physiology   2+1       Sem. I

Concepts and importance of plant physiology, structure and functions of plant cell, cell organelles, crop water relations, osmosis, imbibition, active and passive water absorption, cell to cell movement of water, concept of apoplast and symplast, water translocation, cohesion tension theory of ascent of sap, transpiration, structure of stomata, stomatal movement (k+ ion pump theory), factors affecting transpiration, mineral nutrition, macroelements, microelements, criteria to determine essentiality, physiological role and deficiency symptoms of macro and microelements,hydroponics, absorption and translocation of nutrients, photosynthesis, types of pigments, light and dark reactions, C3, C4 and CAM plants, photorespiration, factors affecting photosynthesis, respiration and its types, glycolysis, krebs cycle, electron transport chain, factors affecting respiration, growth and development, various phases of growth and development, concept of CGR, RGR, NAR, LAI, plant growth regulators, their occurrence, biosynthesis, mode of action and commercial applications of auxins, cytokinins, gibberellins, ethylene, abscisic acid, role of red and blue light in plant growth, brief introduction of phytochrome and cryptochrome, their structure and physiological roles, physiology of flowering, photoperiodism and plant classification in to LDP, SDP, DNP with examples, role of phytochrome in floral induction, vernalization-definition, mechanism and importance of vernalization

Practical: Study of plant cell and types of plastids,  demonstration of osmosis and imbibition, estimation of imbibition pressure, measurement of water potential, study of stomata in dicots and monocots, measurement of  stomatal frequency and index, comparison of rate of transpiration of dorsiventral leaf, measurement of transpiration rate using Ganong’s potometer, study of mineral deficiencies in crop plants, isolation and separation of photosynthetic pigments, estimation of chlorophyll and carotenoids, leaf anatomy of C3, C4 and CAM plants, demonstration of aerobic and anaerobic respiration, analysis of plant growth using auxanometer, calculation of growth indices

BOT-302  Experiments in Botany                            0+3         Sem. I

Practical: Morphology of root and its modifications, stem and its modifications, leaf and its modifications, Description of plant and flowers of family Ranunculaceae, Papaveraceae, Brassicaceae, Caryophyllaceae, Malvaceae, Rutaceae, Leguminosae, Caesalpiniaceae, Mimosaceae, Myrtaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Asteraceae, Asclepidaceae, Solanaceae, Lamiaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Poaceae, study of plant cell and different types of tissues, anatomy of root, stem and leaf, demonstration of osmosis, imbibition, plasmolysis, experiments on factors affecting photosynthesis and respiration, deficiency symptoms of nutrients in crop plants, analysis of plant growth using auxanometer, calculation of growth indices

BOT-303  Phycology       2+1       Sem. I

General features and classification of algae, comparative morphology of different groups of algae, reproduction & perennation, economic importance of algae, interrelationships and evolutionary tendencies of algae, introduction to bacillariophyta, structure, reproduction & life cycle of algal species belonging to different groups viz. cyanophyta (Oscillatoria, Nostoc), chlorophyta (Chlamydomonas, Spirogyra), xanthophyta (Vaucheria), chryosphyta (Chromulina), Euglenophyta (Euglena), Phaeopyta(Fucus, Ectocarpus, Sargassum), rhodophyta (Batrachospermum, Polysiphonia)

Practical: Study of the morphology of different genera such as Oscillatoria,Nostoc, Chlamydomonas Spirogyra, Vaucheria, Chromulina, Euglena, Fucus, Ectocarpus, Sargassum, Batrachospermum,Polysiphonia

BOT-304 Mycology         2+1       Sem. I

Introduction to true fungi, general characteristics, ecology and significance of fungi, similarities and dissimilarities of fungi with plants, nomenclature & classification of fungi, general characteristics, nutrition and reproduction in phycomycetes, ascomycetes, basidiomycetes, fungi imperfecti, life cycle of important genera of phycomycetes, chytridiomycetes (Physoderma, Synchytrium), zygomycetes (Rhizopus, Mucor), oomycetes (Phytophthora infestans, Albugo), ascomycetes (Yeast, Penicillium, Peziza), basidiomycetes (Agaricus, Puccinia, Ustilago), Fungi imperfecti (Alternaria), symbiotic associations of fungi, general characteristics, classification, economic importance of lichens, endomycorrhiza, ectomycorrhiza and their significance, applied mycology, application of fungi in food industry (flavour & texture, fermentation, baking, organic acids, enzymes, mycoproteins), secondary metabolites(pharmaceutical preparations), agriculture (biofertilizers), mycotoxins, biological control (mycofungicides, mycoherbicides, mycoinsecticides, myconematicides), medical mycology, role of fungi in biotechnology

Practical: Study of the asexual stage and sexual structure of different fungi such as Physoderma, Synchytrium, Rhizopus, Mucor, Phytophthora infestans, Albugo, Yeast, Penicillium, Peziza, Agaricus, Puccinia, Ustilago, Alternaria etc., study of growth forms of crustose, foliose and fruticose lichens, structure of ectomycorrhiza and endo mycorrhiza 

BOT-305 Botany of Economic Plants       3+1       Sem. II

Origin of cultivated plants, concept of centres of origin, their importance with reference to Vavilov’s work, crop domestication and loss of genetic diversity, importance of germplasm diversity, trends & scope of economic botany, study of economically important cereals, their classification with special reference to morphology and origin of wheat and rice, botanical description & commercial products of pulses with morphology of gram and pea, botanical description & commercial products of millets, nuts, spices, vegetables with special reference to morphology of one example of root, leaf and fruit vegetable,  classification in true and false fruits, botanical name, family, part used of economically important fruits, Classification and description of oil producing plants, fiber yielding plants, rubber and other latex products by plants, plants yielding industrial products (paper and waxes), medicinal plants, beverages  (coffee and tea morphology, processing and uses) and biofuels, sugar producing  plants with reference to morphology of sugarcane

Practical: Identification and herbarium preparation of plants belonging to category of cereals, millets, nuts, spices, vegetables, fruits, oil producing plants, plants yielding rubber, latex, paper and waxes, sugar producing plants and fiber yielding plants, beverage etc.

BOT-306 Bryology 2+1     Sem. II

Introduction, general characteristics, gametophyte, sporophyte, sexual and asexual reproduction, life cycle, alteration of generationsof bryophytes, classification and origin of bryophytes, economic importance of bryophytes, general characteristics of hepaticopsida, study of gametophytic and sporophytic structure, reproduction and life cycle of Riccia, Marchantia, Porella, general characteristics of anthocerotopsida, study of gametophytic and sporophytic structure, reproduction and life cycle of genera Anthoceros, Notothylas, general characteristics of bryopsida, gametophytic and sporophytic structure, reproduction and life cycleof genera Funaria, Polytrichum, evolution of sporophyte, adaptations to land habit

Practical: Study of the morphology, anatomy and reproductive structures of representative genera of bryophytes

BOT-307  Pteridology 2+1       Sem. II

Introduction, general features, classification, salient features of psilophyta, lycophyta, sphenophyta and pterophyta, origin of pteridophyta, apogamy and apospory; stelar system, telome theory and evolution of sporophyte,  heterospory and seed habit, study of life histories of following important genera Psilotum, Isoetes, Selaginella,  Lycopodium, Equisetum, Ophioglossum, Dryopteris, Pteris, Marsilea, Azolla and Salvinia, fossil pteriodophytes, Rhynia.

Practical:  Study of morphology, anatomy and reproductive structures of representative genera of pteridophytes

BOT-308 Gymnosperms                 2+1       Sem. II

General description, differences between gymnosperms, pteridophytes and angiosperms, classification of gymnosperms, detailed study and life cycle  of Gingko, Cycas,  Pinus, Ephedra, Gnetum,  Welwitschia, Juniperus Cupressus, Biota, process of fossilization, fossil gymnosperms, brief account of Pentoxylon, Cordaites, Bennettites, Glossopteris, Lyginopteris and Willamsonia, economic importance of gymnosperms, distribution of living gymnosperms in India

Practical:  Study of morphology and anatomy of vegetative and reproductive parts of Gingko, Cycas,  Pinus, Ephedra, Gnetum,  Welwitschia, Juniperus Cupressus, Biota, preparation of permanent slides

BOT-309 Reproductive Biology of plants                 2+1     Sem. II

Structural organization of flower, structure of stamen, anther, microsporogenesis and microgametophyte, pollen, structure of gynoecium, types of ovules, megasporogenesis, female gametophyte, types of embryo sacs, with special reference to polygonum type, pollination and fertilization, pollination mechanisms and adaptations, pollen germination, pollen-pistill interactions, self incompatibility,  double fertilization, endosperm types, structure and functions, embryogenesis, dicot and monocot embryo, role of ABA in embryo maturation, structure of dicot and monocot seed and dispersal mechanisms, apomixis, polyembryony and adventive embryony, pathenocarpy

Practical:  Structure of flower, description of monoecious and dioecious plants, microsporogenesis, structure of pollen , pollen viability, stigma receptivity, placentation, types of ovules and embryo sacs,  endosperm types, embryogenesis, structure of dicot and monocot seed, polyembryony

BOT-391 Seminar                 1+0     Sem. I

SEC-BOT1  Laboratory techniques in Plant Physiology                                     0+2           Sem.I

Preparation of standard solutions and buffers, introduction to spectrophotometry, microscopy, extraction and estimation of chlorophyll and carotenoid pigments, osmosis and plasmolysis, determination of relative water content of tissue, measurement of electrical conductivity, estimation of rate of transpiration using cobalt chloride, assessment of seed viability, study of deficiency symptoms of mineral nutrients, measurement of growth and various growth indices in different plant species, Botanical description of flowers belonging to different families (Brassicaceae, Fabaceae, Rutaceae, Asteraceae, Solanaceae, Malvaceae, Rosaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Liliaceae, Poaceae)

SEC-BOT2  Skills in Plant Anatomy            0+2            Sem.II

Preparation of stains; preparation of temporary slides for studying cell structure,  parenchyma, collenchyma, sclerenchyma, xylem, phloem and stomata; preparation of permanent  slides for studying the structure of monocot and dicot stems, roots and leaves; preparation of permanent slides for studying  anamolous growth; description of representative members of families- malvaceae, rosaceae, rutaceae, cucurbitaceae, poaceae, leguminosae, solanaceae, euphorbiaceae, asteraceae

SEC-BOT3  Practical Skills in  Basic Botany                                                        0+2     Sem.I

Study of economically important plants, their botanical description, brief idea of cultivation and economic uses of: cereals (wheat, rice, maize, barley and oats); millets (bajra, jowar, ragi, foxtail); pulses (pigeon pea, chick pea, pea, green gram, kidney bean); vegetables (carrot, potato, onion, fenugreek, spinach, cauliflower, brinjal, okra); fruits (mango, apple, guava, grapes, pear, peach); sugar producing plants (sugarcane, sugar beet); oil crops (groundnut, castor, linseed, sesame, mustard, coconut); spices and condiments (ginger, turmeric, cloves, black pepper, coriander); beverage plants (tea, coffee, cocoa); medicinal plants (rauvolfia, opium poppy, holy basil, neem, aloe); fibers (cotton, jute, coir); visits to botanical gardens and different-different field areas; collection and preparation of herbarium of all above crops.

Master’s Programme 

Bot 501/  PP 501 Principles of Plant Physiology I – Plant Water Relations and Mineral Nutrition                                                                                     2+1           Sem I

BLOCK 1: PLANT WATER RELATIONS

UNIT 1: SOIL AND PLANT WATER RELATIONS

• Water and its importance; Molecular structure of water; Properties and functions of water
• Concept of water potential; Plant cell and soil water potential and their components; Methods to determine cell and soil water potential;Concept of osmosis and diffusion
• Soil physical properties and water availability in different soils;  Water  holding  capacity and approaches to improve WHC; Concept of FC and PWP; Water holding polymers and their relevance

Unit 2: Water Absorption and Translocation

• Root structure and functions; Root architecture and relevance in water mining; Mechanism of water absorption and translocation; Theories  explaining  water absorption and translocation;Aquaporins
• Mycorrhizal association and its relevance in watermining

Unit 3: Transpiration and Evaporative Cooling

• Evaporation and transpiration; relevance of transpiration; factors regulating transpiration; Measurement of transpiration;  approaches  to  minimize  evaporation and transpiration; Concept of CCATD and its relevance
• Energy balance: Solar energy input and output at crop canopy level
• Stomata- its structure, functions and distribution; Molecular mechanisms of stomatal opening and closing; Concept of guard cell turgidity; role of K and other osmolytes; role of ABA in stomatal closure; Guard cells response to environmental signals; Signaling cascade associated with stomatal opening and closure
• Antitranspirants and their relevance in Agriculture

Unit 4: Water Productivity and Water Use Efficiency

• WUE and its relevance in water productivity; Transpiration efficiency, a measure of intrinsic WUE; Approaches to measure WUE; Stomatal and mesophyll regulation on WUE; Passioura’s yield model emphasizing WUE

Unit 5: Moisture Stress and Plant Growth

• Physiology of water stress in plants; Effect of moisture stress at molecular, cellular, organ and plant level
• Drought indices and drought tolerance strategies
• Drought tolerance traits

BLOCK 2: MINERAL NUTRITION

Unit 1: Nutrient Elements and Their Importance

• Role of mineral nutrients in plant metabolism; Essential elements and their classification; Beneficial elements; factors influencing the nutrients availability; Critical levels of nutrients
• Functions of mineral elements in plants
• Deficiency and toxicity symptoms in plants

Unit 2: Nutrient Acquisition

• Mechanism of mineral uptake and translocation; Ion transporters; genes encoding for ion transporters; localization of transporters; xylem and phloem mobility; Nutrient transport to grains at maturity; Strategies to acquire and transport minerals under deficient levels
• Role of mycorrhiza, root exudates and PGPRs in plant nutrient acquisition

Unit 3: Concept of Foliar Nutrition

• Foliar nutrition; significance and factors affecting total uptake of minerals; Foliar nutrient droplet size for effective entry; Role of wetting agents in entry of nutrients

PRACTICALS

1. Standard solutions and preparation of different forms of solutions
2. Studies on the basic properties of water
3. Demonstration of surface tension of water and other solvents
4. Measurement   of plant water status :Relative water content and rate of waterloss
5. Determination of water potential through tissue volume and Chardakov’s test
6. Determination of water potential using pressure bomb, osmometer,psychrometer
7. Determination of soil moisture content and soil water potential
8. Use of soil moisture probes and soil moisture sensors
9. Measurement of transpiration rate in plants; use of porometry
10. Measurement of CCATD and its relevance
11. Demonstration and use of anti-transpirants to reduce transpiration
12. Influence of potassium and ABA onstomatal opening and closing respectively
13. Deficiency and toxicity symptoms of nutrients
14. Effect of water stress on plant growth and development

Bot. -502  Plant Anatomy and Embryology 2+1       Sem I

BLOCK 1: PLANT ANATOMY

Unit 1: Organization of the Plant Body

• Modular, tissue and cellular organization of plant body
• Differentiation, totipotency and morphogenesis
• Ultrastructure of plant cell, development of cell wall; tissues – their ontogeny in relation to functional specialization, transfer cells
• Cell types of xylem and phloem, Basic structure of secondary xylem and phloem

Unit 2: Meristems and Secondary Growth

• Classification of meristems
• Root and shoot apical meristem
• Origin of leaves and branches

• Origin and organization of cambium
• Structure and development of stem, root and leaf, stomata and secretory tissues
• Development of periderm, morphology of periderm and rhytidome, structure of autumn and spring wood and unusual secondary growth

BLOCK 2: PLANT EMBRYOLOGY

Unit 1: Reproductive parts of plant

• Structure of flower: normal and abnormal anther and stigma
• Mega and microsporogenesis; embryo sac, endosperm development
• Pollen pistil interactions and self incompatibility
•  Process of fertilization  

Unit 2: Pre and Post Fertilization Development 

• Embryo development, polyembryony, parthenogenesis, parthenocarpy
• Abscission, healing of wounds and union of grafts;
• Application of applied plant anatomy and embryology in crop improvement. 

Practicals: 

1. Study of structure of parenchyma, collenchyma, sclerenchyma,
2. Study of the component cells of xylem and phloem, 
3. Study of structure of transfer cells and laticifers
4. Stud of the types of stomata and make temporary and permanent slides
5. Study of the epidermal glands in different plant samples
6. Observing the structure and organization of shoot apex and root apex
7. Observing the origin of cambium during secondary growth
8. Study of anomalous secondary growth in stem, root and leaf samples

Bot. 503    Taxonomy and Biosystematics  2+1         Sem I

BLOCK 1 TAXONOMY AND BIOSYSTEMATICS

Unit 1 Taxonomy and systematics

• Principles of Taxonomy
• Hierarchy of classification, Artificial, Phylogenetic and Modern system of classification,
• Binomial nomenclature, Principles of International code of Botanical Nomenclature
• Numerical Taxonomy

Unit 2 Taxonomic Aids

• Herbarium, Specimen preparation for Herbarium, Virtual Herbarium
• Botanical garden, Floristic
• Botanical survey of India

Unit 3 Biosystematics

• Taxonomy and Biosystematics, Biosystematic categories, Structural, biochemical and molecular systematic
• Plasticity of phenotype and phenotypic variability
• Plant geography, sympatric and allopatric taxa, adaptive radiations, Ecological properties of a species, patterns of ecotypic differentiation, Ecotypes in agriculture and forestry
• Isolating mechanisms
• Abrupt and general speciation mechanisms, speciation in vegetatively reproducing plants, Breeding systems, their taxonomic and evolutionary significance
• Self and inter-specific incompatibility

BLOCK II Flowering Plants and Economic Botany

Unit 4 Characteristics and economic importance of flowering plants

• Descriptive terminology of flowering plants
• Magnoliaceae, Papaveraceae, Brassicaceae, Malvaceae, Rutaceae, Meliaceae, Fabaceae, Rosaceae, Myrtaceae Cucurbitaceae, Apiaceae, Rubiaceae, Asteraceae, Solanaceae, Scrophulariaceae, Lamiaceae, Chenopodiaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Orchidaceae, Musaceae, Zingiberaceae, Amaryllidaceae, Liliaceae, Arecaceae, Araceae, Cyperaceae and Poaceae

Unit 5 Economic Botany 

• Plant and civilization
• Centre of origin and gene diversity
• Description, utilization, cultivation and improvement of economically important plants: 
• Food plants (cereals, millets, pulses, fruits, vegetables, sugar and oil plants)
• Drug yielding plants
• Fibre yielding plants
• Industrial use plants (dyes, waxes, tannins)
• Unexploited plants of potential economic value, plants as a source of renewable energy

Practical:

1 Description and identification of the plants belonging to the following families 

Magnoliaceae, Papaveraceae, Brassicaceae, Malvaceae, Rutaceae, Meliaceae, Fabaceae, Rosaceae, Myrtaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Apiaceae, Rubiaceae, Asteraceae, Solanaceae, Scrophulariaceae, Lamiaceae, Chenopodiaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Orchidaceae, Musaceae, Zingiberaceae, Amaryllidaceae, Liliaceae, Arecaceae, Araceae, Cyperaceae and Poaceae

2 Study and identification of economically important plants and their products: 

Food plants (cereals, legumes, oilseeds, fruits, vegetables, etc.), Medicinal plants (atropa, cinchona, digitalis, rauwolfia, etc.), Industrial product yielding plants (Paper, dyes, waxes, gums, etc.), Fibre yielding plants (cotton, flax, hemp, jute, senn, sisal, coconut, etc.)

Bot. 504 Plant Ecology 2+1 Sem II

BLOCK 1 ECOLOGY

Unit 1 Ecology and ecosystem

• Concept of ecology, autecology, synecology, flow of energy in ecosystem, food chain and food web
• Concept of ecological pyramids
• Ecosystem and Biome, Components of ecosystem, Types of ecosystem, Dynamics of ecosystems, Biogeochemical cycles in ecosystem
• Economic importance of microbes, plants and animals

Unit 2 Ecological Succession

• Types of ecological succession
• Causes and trends of succession, Hydrosere, lithosere, Climax concept in succession

BLOCK 2 ENVIRONMENT AND POLLUTION

Unit 3 Environmental monitoring and Pollution

• Global warming and ozone depletion, Environment monitoring, Remote sensing and geographic information system, environmental impact assessment, sustainable development
• Concept of pollution and pollutants, primary and secondary pollutants, Types of pollution (air, water, soil, noise and radioactive pollution), Causes and effects of different types of pollution, Measures to control or minimise pollution, Biomedical waste, e-waste 

Unit 4 Climate and vegetation

• Ecological groups of plants and their adaptations on the basis of their distribution, temperature and water etc. 

Practicals:

1. Experiments on community structure and dynamics, floristic composition, succession 
2. Experiments on pollution 
3. Remote sensing of agriculture and ecosytem 

Bot. 505/ PP 503   Plant developmental Biology: Physiological and Molecular Basis  2+0  Sem II

BLOCK 1 : PLANT GENETIC ENGINEERING AND ITS TECHNIQUES

Unit -I Plant Genetic Engineering  

• Principles and methods of genetic engineering and recombinant DNA technology
• Allopheny
• Gene transfer methods in plants
• Genetic engineering for photosynthesis
• Genetic engineering to enhance nitrogen fixation
• Genetic engineering for manipulation of seed reserves

Unit II-Molecular Techniques used for identification of genetically engineered plants

• Polymerase chain reaction 
• Blotting technique
• Molecular probes
• ELISA

BLOCK 2: PLANT TISSUE CULTURE

UNIT III- Techniques and applications of tissue culture

• Introduction and history of plant tissue culture
• Concept of cellular totipotency, cytodifferentiation and organogenic differentiation and regeneration, somatic embryogenesis, cell lines and cell clones
• Nutrition medium and sterilization techniques
• Various types of plant tissue culture (callus culture, shoot bud culture, embryo culture, etc.)
• Rapid plant propagation (Micropropagation) by tissue culture
• In vitro approaches for the genetic manipulation of plants
• Protoplast culture 
• Somatic hybridization, hybrid and cybrid production
• Haploid plant production
• Artificial seeds
• Pre-fertilization treatments of pollen for directed genetic change, in vitro manipulation of ovule tissues

UNIT IV- Potential Applications of Plant Biotechnology

• Hybridoma technology
• Germplasm maintenance and storage
• Prospects of Plant Biotechnology in crop improvement
• Growth regulators in relation to plant productivity

• Molecular farming
• Omics technologies and their applications

Bot. 506 Histochemistry and Plant Ultrastructure 1+1   Sem II

BLOCK 1: PLANT HISTOCHEMISTRY 

Unit I – Plant Histochemistry and Cytochemistry

• Introduction and principles of histochemistry and cytochemistry
• Botanical microtechniques
• Stains and staining procedures
• Microscopy, various types of microscopy, principles of light and electron microscopes and micrometry
• General information on plant anatomy and the role of various cell inclusions in plant system
• Histochemical procedures for localization of reserve substances like polysaccharides, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids
• Histological localization of important enzymes in plant tissues
• Histochemical analysis of some plant processes like abscission, reproductive development, stomatal movement, etc.

BLOCK 2- Plant Ultrastructure

UNIT II- Plant Ultrastructure

• Ultrastructure of plant cell membrane and cell wall
• Ultrastructure of cell organelles like nucleus, endoplasmic reticulum, etc. existing in plant cell
• Ultrastructure of meristematic cells; phloem, cambium, guard cells, embryo sac, etc.
• Role of histochemistry in collation of structure with function.

Practical:

• Processing of plant material for microtome sectioning
• Preparation of slides
• Histochemical localization of reserve substances and enzymes in plant cells/tissues in hand sections and microtome sections.

Bot.507 Plant Biodiversity and Environmental Conservation 1+1 Sem II

BLOCK 1: Plant Biodiversity 

Unit 1 Agrodiversity

• Diverse Vegetation of India  
• Mission and concerns of biodiversity

Unit 2: Conservation of Biodiversity

• Types of Conservation, In situ and Ex situ Conservation, Levels of biodiversity, keystone species, Measuring biodiversity-alpha, beta & gamma biodiversity, Causes of extinction Endangered, vulnerable species, IUCN Red list categories
• Protection of biodiversity,  Biosphere Reserves, National and Biodiversity Parks, Hot spots in India , Gene banks, Convention of  Biological diversity (CBD)

Unit 3: Introduction of Herbal crops in Punjab

• Study of  herbal crops of Punjab like Neem, Tulsi, Moringa, Gloe, Amla, Aloe, Turmeric, Onion, Garlic, Malathi, Saunf, Methi etc 

Unit 4: Desertification and pollution of water bodies 

• Sources and effect of  Water Pollution
• Assessment of water quality- biochemical oxygen demand (BOD)
• Algal Bloom and Eutrophication 

Practical:

Unit 1: Plant survey methods

Unit 2:  Plant diversity at PAU campus

Unit 3: Diversity in medicinal herbs, shrubs and trees

 Unit 4:  Diversity in ornamental and field visits.

Bot.508 Plant Morphogenesis 2+1 Sem II

BLOCK 1: Organization of structure and function at cellular and tissue level and organ level

Unit 1

• Introduction, Vegetative development, Reproductive development.
• Cellular polarity, Regulation of cell and tissue dimension,  pattern formation and cellular      differentiation 

Unit 2: Shoot apical meristem

• Distinct zones and layers, Auxin and SAM formation
• KNOX genes, cytokinins and GA levels in the regulation SAM, Apical dominance and phase change

 Unit 3: Leaf development and differentiation

• Establishment of leaf polarity, Adaxial and abaxial polarity
• Blade outgrowth, Proximal and Distal Polarity
• KNOX genes and leaflet formation

 Unit 4: Root apical meristem

• Developmental zones of root origin of different root tissues
• Cellular identity, Auxin and maintenance of RAM, Cytokinins and root development, 
•  Root hair, stomata and trichome development

Unit 5: Floral development and differentiation

• Origin of different types of floral-organ
•  Gene regulation of floral development, 
•  ABC model of floral organ identity

Unit 6: Seed and fruit development

• Seed Development -Endosperm development ,  Coenocytic endosperm and its cellularization,  aleurone layer differentiation, Seed coat development, Seed maturation , LEA proteins and abscisic acid
• Fruit development and ripening- changes in color, taste and flavor of fruit, fruit softening , climacteric and non-climacteric fruits

Unit 7: Differentiation in Plants

• Elements of cellular transduction in relation to differentiation in plants, Programmed cell death, Totipotency
• In vitro regulation of differentiation and development in higher plants

Unit 8: Photomorphogenesis

• Plant responses to light, phytochrome and its signaling pathway, phototropins
• Blue light Responses and Photoreceptors, cryptochrome

Practical: Effect of light, temperature and plant growth regulators on cellular differentiation and organogenesis

Bot.509/ PP 504 – Physiological and Molecular Responses of Plant To Abiotic Stresses  

2+1 Sem II

BLOCK 1: ABIOTIC STRESSES

Unit 1: Introduction to abiotic stresses

• Principles of environmental physiology
• Response of plants to abiotic stresses and its effect on productivity
• Interactions between biotic and abiotic stresses 

BLOCK 2: TEMPERATURE, WATER, SALT, LIGHT AND HEAVY METAL STRESS 

Unit 1: Temperature stress

• Plant responses to freezing, chilling and high temperature, adaptive mechanism, cellular tolerance, protein stability, chaperones, HSPs and role of membrane lipids

Unit 2: Water stress

• Drought, flooding and anaerobiosis – characteristic features, water potential in the soil-plant-air continuum
• Physiological and biochemical processes affected by stress 
• Oxidative stress-generation of ROS, osmoprotectants, ROS scavenging- enzymatic and non-enzymatic 
• Water use efficiency (WUE)  as drought resistant trait

Unit 3: Salt stress

• Soil salinity, species variation to salt tolerance, glycophytes and halophytes, salt tolerance mechanism – exclusion, extrusion and compartmentalization, signaling during salt stress- SOS pathway

 Unit4: Light stress

• High light and high ionizing radiation- photo-oxidation and photo-inhibition, mechanism of tolerance, plant adaptation to low light, shade avoidance response 
• Air pollutants, green house effects at cellular and whole plant levels

Unit 5: Heavy metal stress

• Heavy metal toxicity in plants (Al and Cd), tolerance mechanism and approaches to improve the tolerance

BLOCK 3: STRESS AND HORMONES 

Unit 1: Hormones to combat stress

• Hormones signaling in stress, physiological and molecular mechanisms to combat stresses by plants;  ABA as signaling molecule;  cytokinin as a negative signal, role of ethylene in water logging 

BLOCK 4: BIOTIC STRESSES

Unit 1: Stress perception and response of plants

• Stress perception and signal transduction leading to expression of regulatory genes, mineral cycling and energy transfer in biotic and abiotic components; mutualism, competition, allelopathy; cropland ecosystem. 

Practical:  

1. Measurement of soil and plant water status
2. Determination of water use efficiency as a drought resistant trait
3. Experiments to study the effect of freezing, chilling, high temperature, salinity and heavy metal stress on seed germination and seedling growth
4. Effect of stress on membrane integrity
5. Experiments pertaining to greenhouse effects and air pollutants
6. Effects of flooding and anaerbiosis on seed germination and seedling growth
7. Effects of water pollutants, heavy metal toxicity and allelopathy in relation to plant growth
8. Quantification of osmolytes- proline and soluble sugars under stress
9. Quantification of ROS under stress
10. Estimation of antioxidant enzymes under stress
11. Determination of Salinity Tolerance Index
12. Estimation of free fatty acids in relation to abiotic stress
13. Estimation of nitrates in irrigation water
14. Allelopathy and composition of allelochemicals in agri-ecosystems.

Bot.510/ PP 505 – Growth Regulators 2+1 Sem II

BLOCK 1: PLANT GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT: HORMONAL REGULATION
Unit 1: Introduction to Plant Hormones

• Definition and classification of growth regulating substances: Classical hormones and Endogenous growth substances other than hormones, Synthetic chemicals

Unit 2: Plant Hormones – Discovery and Metabolism

• Discovery, biosynthetic pathways and metabolism of auxin, gibberellins, cytokinins, abscisic acid, ethylene, brassinosteroids and nitric oxide
  Unit 3: Physiological Role of Hormones in Plant Growth and Development

• Physiological functions of Auxin, Gibberellins, Cytokinins, Abscisic acid, Ethylene, Salicylic acid, Brassinosteroids and Nitric oxide and use of mutants and transgenic plants in elucidating the physiological functions
• Discovery, biosynthetic pathways metabolism and physiological roles of and Peptide hormones
  Unit 4: Endogenous Growth Substances other than Hormones
• Discovery, biosynthetic pathways metabolism and physiological role of Polyamines, Jasmonates, systemins 
• Concept of death hormone
• Growth retardants

Unit 5: Hormone Signaling

• Hormone signal perception, transduction – Receptors, components and mechanism (Auxin, Gibberellin, Cytokinin, ABA and Salicylic acid)

• Hormone signal perception, transduction – Receptors, components and mechanism (Ethylene, Jasmonate, Brassinosteroids)
• Advances in elucidating the structure and function of receptors and signaling components of important hormones

Unit 6: Key Genes Regulating Hormone Levels and Functions

• Genomics approaches to regulate hormone metabolism and its effect on plant growth
  and development – case studies

Unit 7: Crosstalk of Hormones in Regulation of Plant Growth and Development   Processes

• Crosstalk of Hormones in Regulation of Plant Growth and Development Processes

Unit 8: Practical Utility of Growth Regulators in Agriculture and Horticulture

• Practical Utility of Growth Regulators in Agriculture and Horticulture

Practical:
1. Bioassay of auxin- effect on rooting of cuttings
2. ABA bioassays- effect on stomatal movement
3. Ethylene bioassays, estimation using physico-chemical techniques- effect on breaking   

    dormancy in sunflower and groudnut
4. GA bioassays- effect on germination of dormant seeds
5. Cytokinin bioassays- effect on apical dominance and senescence/stay green

Bot 511/ PP 502 Principles of Plant Physiology-II: Metabolic Processes and   Growth Regulation 2+1 Sem I

Unit 1: Carbon Metabolism – Photochemical Processes

• Chloroplast ultrastructure with special mention of lamellar system
• Excitation,electron and proton transfers and the irrelevance in energy conservation
• Concepts of pigment systems and generation of powerful reductant andoxidant
• Water oxidation, Water-water cycle and other aspects of electrontransfer

Unit 2: Carbon Metabolism: Biochemical Processes

• CO2 diffusion mechanisms and diffusive conductances, concept of Ci determining Photosynthesis
• RuBisCO enzyme kinetics and Calvin cycle mechanisms, Regulation of Calvin cycle and metabolite fluxes
• Photorespiration: the advantages and inefficiencies of photosynthesis because of photorespiration
• Concepts of CO2 concentrating mechanisms (CCM) and spatial and  temporal differences in carboxylation
• Ecological aspects of C2 and CAM photosynthesis
• Product synthesis, Starch and Sucrose biosynthesis
  
  

Unit 3: Carbon Metabolism: Respiration

• Mitochondrial organization and functions
• Aspects of Glycolysis, TCA cycle and mit ETC.
• Relevance of growth and maintenance of respiration
• Concepts of CN resistance respiration – Alternate and SHAM sensitive ETC
  
  

Unit 4: Product Synthesis and Translocation Leading to Crop Growth

• Phloem loading and sugar transporting, concepts of bi-directional transport of sugars and other metabolites
• Source-Sink relationship and modulation of photosynthesis
• Concepts and definitions of Growth and Differentiation
• Growth and yield parameters, NAR, CGR, HI and concepts of LAI, LAD
  
  

Unit 5: Nitrogen Assimilation and Protein Synthesis

• Developments in d-nitrgen fixation
• Nitrate reduction and assimilation GS-GOGAT process for amino acid synthesis
• Inter-Dependence of carbon assimilation and nitrogen metabolisms
  
  

Unit 6: Lipid Metabolism and Secondary Metabolites

• Storage, protective and structural lipids.
• Biosynthesis of fatty-acids,diacyl and triacyl glycerol,fatty acids of storage lipids.
• Secondary metabolites and their significance in plant defense mechanisms.
  
  

Unit 7: Hormonal Regulation of Plant Growth and Development

• Growth promoting and retarding hormones: biosynthesis, transport,conjugation
• Mode of action of these hormones and their application in plant physiology
  
  

Unit 8: Synthetic Growth Promoters

• Different synthetic hormones: Salicylic acid, strigolactonesetc
• Roles and biological activities of various synthetic hormones
• Commercial application of hormones to maximize growth and productivity
  
  

Unit 9: Morphogenesis and Reproductive Phase

• Photoperiodism: Phytochromes, their structure and function
• Circadian rhythms,
• Blue light receptors: Cryptochrome and morphogenesis.
• Vernalization and its relevance ingermination.

Practical: 

1. Radiant energy measurements
2. Separation and quantification of chlorophylls
3. Separation and quantification of carotenoids
4. O2  evolution duringphotosynthesis
5. Anatomical identification of C3 and C4 plants
6. Measurement of gas exchange parameters, conductance, photosynthetic rate, photorespiration
7. Measurement of respiration rates
8. Estimation of reducing sugars,starch
9. Estimation of NO3, free amino acids in the xylem exudates, quantification of soluble proteins
10. Bioassays for different growth hormones- Auxins, Gibberellins, Cytokinins, ABA and ethylene
11. Demonstration of photoperiodic response of plants in terms offlowering

Ph.D. Programme

Bot.601 Advances in Botany 3+0     Sem. II 

BLOCK 1: PLANT DEVELOPMENT-

• New perspectives of plant development
• Molecular and hormonal coordination of plant development
• Recent development in control of phyllotaxic patterns of plants
• Programmed cell death 
• Secretary tissues in plants
• Applications of plant anatomy in structure -function correlations
  
  

BLOCK 2:  DEVELOPMENT UNDER STRESS

• Impact of environmental pollution on plant structure 
• Plant defense mechanism for disease resistance 
• Epicuticular waxes and their role in stress tolerance 
• Phytoremediation of toxic metals
  
  

BLOCK 3 : NODULE DEVELOPMENT

• Root nodule development 
• Nitrogen fixation by legumes in tropical and sub- tropical crops 
• Biofertilizers
• Molecular mechanisms of root nodule development 

• Long-distance signaling to control root nodule number and role of flavonoids in nodule development
  

BLOCK 4: PLANT TROPISM

• Recent development in plant tropism : movement of sessile organisms
• Membrane traffic within the golgi apparatus and intra-golgi cargo transport 
• COPI vesicles as long distance carriers
  
  

• Biosynthesis  

• Histochemistry: sites of biosynthesis

• Role of alkaloids in plants
  
  

BLOCK 6: SOME SPECIFIC TOPICS

• Crop simulation models in agriculture 
• Mechanism of carnivorous nutrition and its application in higher plants 
• Retrograde signaling in plants: from plastid to nucleus
• Application of nanotechnology in agriculture
  
  

BLOCK 7: WEED STUDIES

• Weed biology
• Ecology and physiology of weeds
• Weed and crop competition 
• Allelochemicals: nature and impact 
• Weed- seed physiology

Bot.602  Advances in Plant Physiology 2+1           Sem II

BLOCK 1 RECENT ADVANCES

• Scope of plant physiology in the era of second green revolution
• Conventional and biotechnological approaches to improve yield potential and quality of

crop plants 

• New emerging technologies and their scope in crop improvement 
• ABC- transporters
  
  

BLOCK 2 : CONCEPT OF RECEPTOR,  LIGANDS AND SIGNALING

• Signal, signal types, long (diffusible) and short (contact) range signaling and components of signaling.
• Types of receptors: Cell surface trans-membrane receptors- GPCRs, Receptor Tyrosine Kinases (RTKs), Receptors Serine Threonine Kinases (RSTKs), Receptor-Like  Kinases  (RLKs),  receptor two component systems.
• Nature of ligands, downstream components  like  primary,  secondary signaling components G-proteins, second messengers-Cyclic AMP, Adenylate cyclase cascade, cyclic GMP, calcium-calmodulin-kinases; effector molecules (transcription factor).
• Signal transfer phosphor-relay and generation of secondary signaling components and activation of TFs or enzymes.
  
  

BLOCK 3: HORMONE SIGNALING

• Hormone binding receptors-Transduction process. Effector molecules and gene expression.
• Specific signaling pathways of Auxins, Cytokinin, Gibberellins, Ethylene, ABA, Brassinosteroids, Salicylic Acid, Strigolactone, polyamines, Jasmonic acid, etc. which leads to formative effects.
• Cross talk in the signaling of different hormones-significance of studies with hormone action mutants.
• Elements of signaling pathways and mechanism of signal
  transduction; two components sensing system
  
  

BLOCK 4 : ROLE OF CALCIUM IN SIGNALING AND REGULATION OF METABOLISM

• Calcium sensors
• Signals and cytoplasmic calcium
  
  

BLOCK 5 : ABIOTIC STRESS SIGNALING AND NUTRIENT SIGNALING

• Sensing of environmental factors (Temperature-Osmotic-Ionic stress)
• Activation of specific molecules and secondary messengers, activation of downstream components-leading to stress gene expression
• Case studies with different abiotic stresses
• Retrograde signaling.
• Nitrogen fixation, nitrogen and phosphorus uptake, nutrient translocation.
• Molecular aspects of nutrient uptake and transport, nutrient sensing and signaling

Practicals

1. Assessment of quality attributes in various crops: Physical appearance, 100  seed weight, hectolitre weight. Free fatty acids and total oil content in Brassica seed. Total protein, total starch, gluten content in wheat grains.
2. Estimation of phytohormones through chromatographic techniques (HPLC, GCMS)
3. Effect of abiotic stresses on seed germination, seedling vigour index, shoot root ratio, relative water content, yield attributes in field crops.
4. Determination of osmolytes in various plant plants under abiotic stress
5. Quantification of enzymes involved in various metabolic processes under stresses
6. Measurement of leghaemoglobin content in nodules
7. Estimation of various macro-elements.

Bot.603  Advances in Reproductive Biology 2+0   Sem.I BLOCK 1: PLANT REPRODUCTION: AN OVERVIEW 

• Introduction: Approaches to study mechanisms of reproductive development

BLOCK 2: DEVELOPMENT OF REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS: MOLECULAR AND         GENETIC APPROACHES

• Cell determination and interactions in reproductive organ development
• Floral induction
• Physiological signals and multi-factorial system of control of floral metamorphosis
• ABC model for floral organ specifications
• Development of egg cell and its role in fertilization 
• Suspensor and its importance in embryo development
• Endosperm origin, development and functions
• Molecular basis of microsporogenesis 

BLOCK 3: FRUIT AND SEED DEVELOPMENT

• Fruit growth and development 
• Fruit ripening 
• Role of fruit wall in seed development
• Physiological and molecular aspects of fruit ripening and senescence
• Role of plant hormones in reproductive development 
• Seed development, deposition of storage reserves 
• Mechanisms of seed and fruit abortion and means to overcome 
• Embryo maturation and desiccation
• Cytoplasmic male sterility and hybrid seed production

BLOCK 4: SEXUAL REPRODUCTION AND CROP IMPROVEMENT

• Self and cross pollination: mechanisms influencing mode of pollination 
• Pollen-pistil interactions
• Self-incompatibility mechanisms 
• Regulation of pollen viability, germination and tube growth
• Mutations affecting gametophyte development
• Impact of environmental factors on reproductive development in relation to productivity
• Genetic modification for extending post harvest life of flowers and fruits

 Bot.604 Advances in Morphogenesis 2+0 Sem. I 

 BLOCK 1: INTRODUCTION

• Cell cycle regulation
• Cytokinesis in pattern formation: asymmetric cell division in plants
• Meristems in plant development
• Plasma membrane interaction with the cytoskeleton and cell wall

 BLOCK 2 :REGULATION OF DEVELOPMENTAL PROCESSES

• Initiation of developmental pathways
• Hormonal regulation of developmental processes
• Apical dominance: Theories and  hormonal regulation significance
• Abnormal plant growth: Hormonal and elemental control 

 BLOCK  3 :PHOTOMORPHOGENSIS

• Photoreceptors : Various types
• Phytochrome and control of plant development
• Blue-light mediated responses and morphogenesis 
• Photoregulated gene expression in plants
• Phytochrome transgenes and their biotechnological applications

 BLOCK 4 :PHENOLOGY OF MORPHOGENESIS

• Plasmodesmata: Dynamics, domains , patterning and intracelluar communication 
• Trichome development: Morphogenesis, molecular and genetic analysis
• Stomatal development: Orientation and patterning of stomatal development
• Genetic architecture and model for leaf morphogenesis 

Bot. 605  Molecular Approaches for Improving Physiological Traits in Crop Plants     3+0        Sem. I   

 BLOCK 1:  PHYSIOLOGICAL TRAITS RELEVANT TO GROWTH, DEVELOPMENT AND PRODUCTIVITY

• Introduction 
• Nutrient acquisition 
• Abiotic and biotic stress tolerance 

BLOCK 2 : ROLE OF MUTANTS TO IMPROVE PHYSIOLOGICAL TRAITS OF CROP PLANTS

• Importance of mutants in unraveling important physiological processes
• Importance of molecular plant breeding in crop improvement
• Basic aspects of genomics, proteomics, and metabiomics and their potential application

BLOCK 3: GENETIC MARKERS AND THEIR COMPARISON WITH CONVENTIONAL METHODS

• PCR rationale, techniques and applications
• DNA- based marker systems and their applications 
• Linkage maps and mapping populations
• Strategies for quantitative traits loci (QTL) introgression and marker assisted selection (MAS) for crop improvement

BLOCK 4: RECOMBINANT DNA TECHNOLOGY 

• Gene transfer methods 
• Selection of transformants and their analysis using physiological / biochemical and molecular approaches
• Applications of transgenics
• Molecular farming 
• Issue related to biosafety and registration of genetically modified (GM) crops

Bot.-606/ PP 606 Global Climate Change and Crop Response       2+0 Sem. II

BLOCK 1: INTRODUCTION TO CLIMATE CHANGE

• Greenhouse gases and their influence on climate change and ecosystems
• Long and short-term projections of climate change: natural vegetations area shift, food production
• Crop-pest interaction 

BLOCK 2 TEMPERATURE, WATER, SALT, LIGHT AND HEAVY METAL STRESS

• Temperature stress : Classification inf response to stress Response: Morphological, Physiological, Biochemical, molecular signaling during stress tolerance Avoidance, tolerance, acclimation mechanism
• Water stress : Classification inf response to stress Response: Morphological, Physiological, Biochemical, molecular signaling during stress tolerance Avoidance, tolerance, acclimation mechanism
• Salt stress : Classification inf response to stress Response: Morphological, Physiological, Biochemical, molecular signaling during stress tolerance Avoidance, tolerance, acclimation
•  Light stress: Classification inf response to stress Response: Morphological, Physiological, Biochemical, molecular signaling during stress tolerance Avoidance, tolerance, acclimation
• Heavy metal stress : Classification inf response to stress Response: Morphological, Physiological, Biochemical, molecular signaling during stress tolerance Avoidance, tolerance, acclimation

BLOCK 3: BASIC PRINCIPLES OF CROP IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME UNDER STRESS

• Direct and indirect effects of environmental stresses on plant processes 
• Phenology, net carbon assimilation, water relations, grain development and quality, nutrient acquisition and yield

BLOCK 4 : CONVENTIONAL AND BIOTECHNOLOGICAL APPROACHES TO IMPROVE THE CROP ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE

• Relevance of “Genome wide mutants” to identify genes/processes for improved adaptation to changing environments
• International conventions and global initiatives on carbon sequestration, carbon trading.

Bot. 607 Seed Physiology 2+0 Sem. I

BLOCK 1 :  SEED AND FOOD DEVELOPMENT

• Importance and structure of seeds
• Physiology of seed and fruit development
• Environmental effects on seed development
• Physiological and molecular aspects
• Seed development patterns and source of assimilates 

BLOCK 2: CONTROL PROCESSES IN DEVELOPING SEEDS

• Chemical composition, biosynthesis, storage of carbohydrates, proteins and fats in seeds
• Mobilization of assimilates in developing seeds
• Chemistry of oxidation of starch, protein and fats
• Utilization of breakdown products by embryonic axis

 BLOCK 3: SEED GERMINATION

• Inception of germination
• Hormonal and molecular regulation of seed germination events
• Seed respiration
• Seed ageing 
• Seed maturation and desiccation damage: 
• Role of LEA proteins; precocious seed germination

BLOCK 4: SEED VIABILITY, VIGOUR AND DORMANCY

• Seed viability: physiological and genetic aspects to prolong viability; 
• Seed vigour: concept, importance, measurement; invigoration – methods and physiological basis: orthodox and recalcitrant seeds; 
• Types of seed dormancy, 
• Structural and chemical basis of seed coat impermeability and hard seededness; means to overcome dormancy.
• Gene imprints and seed and fruit abortion and means to overcome it

Bot 608/ PP 608 Seed and Fruit Growth and Their Quality Improvement 

2+0 Sem I

BLOCK 1: PHYSIOLOGY OF SEED GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

• Mechanism of seed development and different developmental stages; synthesis, mobilization and accumulation of stored reserves;
• Forms of stored reserves and their localization
• Sink drawing ability (SDA) and its relevance in seed growth and development;
• Role of plant hormones in seed growth and development and SDA
  
  

BLOCK 2: SEED AS A PROPAGULE

• Seed as a propagation material; seed size and seed chemical composition and their relevance in seed germination
• Physiological, biochemical and molecular mechanisms and approaches  to  regulate  seed germination, seedling emergence and establishment and seedling vigour
• Physiological, biochemical and molecular mechanisms and approaches  to  regulate  seed priming and crop establishment: seed dormancy, precocious germination and controlling pre-harvest sprouting in crops
• Physiological, biochemical and molecular mechanisms and approaches  to  regulate  seed viability, improving the viability and storability of seeds
  
  

BLOCK 3: SEED AS A SOURCE OF NUTRITION

• Seed as a source of nutrition to humans: approaches to improve the quality of seeds through synthesis of seed storage reserves and other constituents.
• Genes/QTL’s regulating these processes and concept of pathway engineering to improve the quantity and quality of seed constituents.
• Carbohydrates- Amylose and amylopectin ratios for glycemic index, resistant and digestable starch, improving dietary fibre, alter gelatinisation.
• Protein content, modified proteins, essential amino acids.
• Oil content, fatty acid composition, Omega 3 fatty acids. Carotenoids and vitamins
•  Biofortification strategies to enhance the grain zinc, iron, other minerals and other essential compounds.
• Engineering for low protease inhibitors, phytic acid, tannins, phenolic substances, lectins, oxalates as anti-nutritional factors.
• Case studies of improving seed nutrition components by molecular breeding and transgenic approaches.
  
  

BLOCK 4: QUALITY DETERIORATION DURING STORAGE

• Changes in chemical composition during storage; factors influencing the  deterioration of nutritional quality of seeds during storage; approaches to minimize nutritional  quality deterioration
• Effect of quality deterioration on human and animal health
  
  

BLOCK 5: FRUIT GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

• Flower and fruit development; concept of parthenocarpy
• Physiological and biochemical changes during fruit development and chemical composition
• Molecular approaches to regulate flower and fruit drop/ abscission; Role of hormones
  
  

BLOCK 6 : FRUIT AS A SOURCE OF PHYTOCHEMICALS : NUTRACEUTICALS

• Biosynthetic pathways and the quantification and options to improve by hormonal and molecular pathway engineering approaches of Antioxidants, Flavanoids, anthocyanins
• Biosynthetic pathways and the quantification and options to improve by hormonal and molecular pathway engineering approaches of Vitamins- Vitamin C, Tocopherol, Carotenoids
• Biosynthetic pathways and the quantification and options to improve by hormonal and molecular pathway engineering approaches of Alkaloids, Mangiferin, tomatins
• Biosynthetic pathways and the quantification and options to improve by hormonal and molecular pathway engineering approaches of DigestableFiber lycopene, stillbeans
• Biosynthetic pathways and the quantification and options to improve by hormonal and molecular pathway engineering approaches of Aroma, monoterpenoids and Fatty acid esters.
  
  

BLOCK 7: FRUIT RIPENING, POST HARVEST DETERIORATION AND SHELF LIFE

• Physiological and molecular mechanisms of fruit ripening.
• Postharvest deterioration of fruits; factors regulating fruit deterioration; hormonal and environmental aspects of reducing post harvest deterioration of fruits
• Physiological and Molecular approaches to regulate fruit ripening and shelf life: Role  of Ethylene and Ethylene response factors regulating specific processes of fruit ripening; Approaches to regulate specific shelf life characters.
• Improving fruit ripening and shelf life by molecular approaches-Case studies.
  
  

Bot 609/ PP 602 Signal Perceptions and Transduction and Regulation of Physiological     Processes 2+0   Sem II

BLOCK 1: CONCEPT OF RECEPTOR AND LIGANDS

• Signal, signal types, long (diffusible) and short (contact) range signaling and components of signaling.
• Types of receptors, nature of ligands, downstream components  like  primary,  secondary signaling components.
  
  

BLOCK 2: RECEPTORS – SIGNAL PERCEPTION AND TRANSFER

• Cell surface trans-membrane receptors- GPCRs, Receptor Tyrosine Kinases (RTKs), Receptors Serine Threonine kinases (RSTKs), Receptor-Like  Kinases  (RLKs),  receptor two component systems. 
• Signal transfer phosphor-relay and generation of secondary signaling components and activation of TFs or enzymes.
• Downstream components- G-proteins, second messengers-Cyclic AMP, Adenylate cyclase cascade, cyclic GMP, calcium-calmodulin-kinases; effector molecules (transcription factor).
  
  

BLOCK 3: HORMONE SIGNALING

• Hormone binding receptors-Transduction process. Effector molecules and gene expression.
• Specific signaling pathways of Auxins, Cytokinin, Gibberellins, Ethylene, ABA, Brassinosteroids, Salicylic Acid, Strigolactone, polyamines, Jasmonic acid, etc. which leads to formative effects.
• Cross talk in the signaling of different hormones-significance of studies with hormone action mutants.
  
  

BLOCK 4: LIGHT SIGNALING

• Perception of light-pigments involved-  activation  of  phytochrome/cryptochrome (study of mutants).
• Light signal transduction.
• Multiple signaling cascades-identification of signaling components through mutant analysis-changes in gene expression.
  
  

BLOCK 5: ABIOTIC STRESS SIGNALING AND NUTRIENT SIGNALLING

• Sensing of environmental factors (Temperature-Osmotic-Ionic stress)
• Activation of specific molecules and secondary messengers, activation of downstream components-leading to stress gene expression.
• Case studies with different abiotic stresses.
• Retrograde signaling.
• Nitrogen fixation, nitrogen and phosphorus uptake, nutrient translocation.
  
  

BLOCK 6: SIGNALING CASCADE DURING DEVELOPMENTAL EVENTS

• Leaf senescence/fruit development and ripening.
• Tuberization.
• Sugar signaling.
• Signaling during seed germination.
  
  

BLOCK 7: SIGNAL PERCEPTION AND TRANSDUCTION IN PLANT DEFENSE RESPONSES

• General mechanisms to pathogen response.
• Role of salicylic acid and active oxygen species.
• Cross Talk Signaling- Stress matrix under field conditions, cross talk between abiotic- abiotic stress, biotic-abiotic stress signaling networks.