WEST BENGAL STATE UNIVERSITY

DRAFT SYLLABI STRUCTURE IN BOTANY OF THE 4-YEAR UNDERGRADUATE

PROGRAMME (HONOURS) UNDER NEP BASED CREDIT SYSTEM

SEMESTER II Major (DSC)

T+P
50+50
Exam-50

DSC-2 (5), Theory: 50 marks

Course Code:
BOTDSC202T- (3) Fungi-25 Marks (30) lectures)
Mycology 25
Phytopathology Unit 1: Introduction to true fungi
25 General characteristics; affinities with plants and animals; idea of Fungi as a
separate kingdom of life; thallus organization; cell wall composition; nutrition;
sexual (with reference to sporocarp) and asexual (spore forming bodies in
deuteromycetes) reproduction; classification (Hawksworth et al 1995).
Concepts of Molecular identification, Barcoding and Tree of Life.

Unit 2: Chytridiomycota and Zygomycota

Characteristic features; ecology and significance; thallus organisation;
reproduction; life cycle with reference to Synchytrium, Rhizopus.

Unit 3: Ascomycota
General characteristics (asexual and sexual fruiting bodies); ecology; life
cycle, heterokaryosis and parasexuality; life cycle with reference to
Saccharomyces, Penicillium, Neurospora, Ascobolus.

Unit 4: Basidiomycota
General characteristics; ecology; black stem rust of wheat, life cycle with
reference to spore forms; concept of macrocylic, microcyclic, demicyclic,
heteroecious, autoecious rusts. Puccinia (physiological specialization), Loose
and covered smut (symptoms only). Agaricus; bioluminescence, fairy rings
and mushroom cultivation (general account).

Unit 5: Allied Fungi

General characteristics; status of slime molds; occurrence; types of
plasmodia; types of fruiting bodies.
Unit 6: Oomycota
General characteristics; ecology; life cycle and classification, concept as a
separate kingdom of life with reference to Phytophthora, Saprolegnia.

Unit 7: Symbiotic associations

Lichen – Occurrence; general characteristics; growth forms and range of
thallus organization; nature of associations of algal and fungal partners;
reproduction; ecological and economic significance; Mycorrhiza -
ectomycorrhiza, endomycorrhiza and their significance.

Unit 8: Applied Mycology

Role of fungi in biotechnology; 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.

Phytopathology- 25 (30 lectures)

Unit 9: Definitions and Concepts of plant disease: Parasite, Pathogen and

Vector, Inoculum and Inoculum density, Infection, Susceptibility and
Virulence, Etiology; symptoms - types; necrotroph, biotroph & hemibiotroph;
disease, disease types, disease triangle, disease cycle (monocyclic &
polycyclic); sporadic, endemic, epidemic and pandemic diseases with
examples that had significant impact in human history; Koch’s Postulates.

Unit 10: Host - Parasite Interaction: recognition concept and infection.

Disease development - role of enzymes, toxins, growth regulators. Defense
strategies - structural and biochemical mechanisms (Constitutive and
Induced). Roles of Phytoalexins, Phytoanticipins & PR proteins, elicitors, HR
response. Genetics of Plant - Pathogen interaction - Flor’s gene for gene
hypothesis, Concept of R gene, Avr gene and Effectors. Resistance –
systemic acquired and induced systemic resistance.

Unit 11: Disease Management: Chemical, Biological, Cultural & Integrated

management methods; quarantine; disease diagnosis, disease clinics and
disease forecasting (preliminary ideas).

Unit 12: Prevention and control of plant disease and role of quarantine.
Casual organism, disease cycle and management of bacterial diseases –
Citrus canker, Ralstonia wilt of Tomato, viral diseases – Tobacco Mosaic
virus, Fungal and Oomycete diseases – Early and Late blight of potato, Black
stem rust of wheat, Blast of Rice, Downy Mildews (Pseudoperonospora
cubensis) and Powdery Mildew of Cucurbits (Podosphaera xanthii), plant
disease epidemiology- basic concepts, elements of disease, plant
pathologist’s contribution to crops and society.
 Practical – 50 marks

Fungi: 25 marks

1. Introduction to the world of fungi (unicellular, coenocytic/septate

mycelium, ascocarps & basidiocarps) through temporary slide preparation
Course Code:
and permanent slides.
BOTDSC202P (2)
2. Micrometry (measurement of reproductive unit).
Mycology
3. Rhizopus - study of asexual stage from temporary mounts and sexual
Phytopathology
structures through temporary slide preparation and permanent slides.
10+15=25
4. Penicillium - study of asexual stage from temporary mounts and sexual
5+20 + 25
stage through temporary slide preparation and permanent slides.
5. Ascobolus - sectioning through ascocarp and micrometry.
6. Agaricus - specimens of button stage and full-grown mushroom; sectioning
of gills of Agaricus, fairy rings and bioluminescent mushrooms to be shown.
7. Lichens - study of growth forms of lichens (crustose, foliose and fruticose)
on different substrates.
8. Mycorrhizae - ectomycorrhiza and endomycorrhiza (Photographs).

Phytopathology-25 marks

9. Puccinia - Herbarium specimens of Black Stem Rust of Wheat / Rust of

Justicia sections/ mounts of spores on wheat/ Justicia and permanent slides
for identification of various stages
10. Phytopathology- Herbarium specimens of Bacterial diseases- Citrus
canker; Viral diseases - TMV, Vein clearing symptom from any available
specimen; Fungal diseases - Early and Late blight of potato, Black stem rust
of wheat and Blast of Rice, Powdery and downy mildew from any available
specimen.
11. Isolation of pathogen from diseased leaf, inoculation of fruit,
demonstration of media preparation, pure culture isolation.

Suggested Readings

Mycology and Phytopathology

1. Ainsworth, G.C., Sparrow, F.K. and Sussman, A.S. (Eds)....The Fungi: An
Advanced Treatise Vol. IVA & B, (Academic Press]
2. Hawksworth, D.L., Kirk, P.M., Pegler, D.N. and Sutton, B.C.
1995...Ainsworth & Bisby's Dictionary of Fungi, 8h Ed. [CAB International]
3. Webster, J…..Introduction to Fungi [Cambridge University Press]
4. Alexopoulos, C.J., Mims, C.W. and Blackwell, M. …..Introductory Mycology
[John Wiley & Sons Inc).
5. Moore-Landecker, E………… Fundamentals of the Fungi 4th Ed [Prentice
Hall]
 6. Ingold, C.T. and Hudson H.J…....The biology ofthe Fungi 6" Ed [Chapman
& Hall ]
7. Vashistha, B.R... …….Fungi [S. Chand & Co. Ltd.]
8. Sharma, P.D……….Fungi and Allied Organisms [Narosa Pub. House]
9. Ganguly, H.C. and Kar, A.K....College Botany Vol. II[New Central Book
Agency]
10. Chopra, G.L. and Verma, V……..A text Book of Fungi [Pradeep
Publication]
11. Agrios, G.N. (2006)……… Plant Pathology, 5th edition, Academic Press,
U.K.
12. H. S. Chaube and V. S. Pundhir.(2009)…….. Crop Diseases and their
Management. Prentice Hall (India).

WEST BENGAL STATE UNIVERSITY

DRAFT SYLLABI STRUCTURE IN BOTANY OF THE 4-YEAR UNDERGRADUATE
PROGRAMME (HONOURS) UNDER NEP BASED CREDIT

SEMESTER II Minor -2
T+P
50+50

Course Code:
BOT MIN202T/ Plant Ecology and Taxonomy
BOTCOR202T
FM-50 Theory – 50 Marks
Plant Ecology Unit 1: Introduction (2 Lectures).
and Taxonomy
Unit 2: Ecological factors (2 Lectures) – Soil - Origin, composition, soil profile;
water- states of water in the environment; Light and temperature - variation
optimal and limiting factors; Adaptation of hydrophytes and xerophytes.

Unit 3: Plant communities (2 Lectures) - characters; Ecotone and edge effect;

succession; processes and types.

Unit 4: Ecosystem (8 Lectures) - structure; energy flow trophic organisation;

food chains and food webs, Ecological pyramids; production and productivity;
biogeochemical cycling; cycling of carbon, nitrogen.

Unit 5: Phytogeography (4 Lectures) - principle biogeographical zones;

Endemism.
 Unit 6: Introduction to plant taxonomy (2 Lectures) - identification,
classification, nomenclature.

Unit 7: Identification (4 Lectures) - functions of herbarium, important herbaria

and botanical gardens of the world and India.

Unit 8: Taxonomic hierarchy (2 Lectures) - ranks, categories and taxonomic

groups.

Unit 9: Botanical nomenclature (6 Lectures) - principles and rules (ICN); ranks

and names; binominal system, typification, author citation, effective and valid
publication.

Unit 10: Classification (6 Lectures) - types of classification - artificial, natural

and phylogenetic. Classification of Bentham and Hooker (up to series), general
idea of Cronquist’s classification (1981).

Unit 11: Numerical taxonomy and cladistics (4 Lectures) – characters,

variations, cluster analysis, phenograms, cladograms (definitions and
differences).

Course Code: Practical = 50 Marks

BOTMIN202P/
BOTCOR202P 1. Study of instruments used to measure microclimatic variables - Soil
FM-50 thermometer, maximum and minimum thermometer, anemometer,
Plant Ecology psychrometer/hygrometer, rain gauge and lux meter.
and Taxonomy 2. Determination of pH and analysis of two soil samples for carbonates,
5+20=25 chlorides, nitrates, organic matter and by rapid field test.
5+20=25 3.(a) Study of morphological adaptations of hydrophytes (Nymphaea petiole)
and xerophytes (Nerium leaf) (four each).
3(b) Study of biotic interactions of Stem parasite (Cuscuta), Epiphytes (Orchid
root).
4. Determination of minimal quadrat size for the study of herbaceous vegetation
in the College/ suitable site by species area curve method. (Species to be
listed).
5. Quantitative analysis of herbaceous vegetation in the college campus
/suitable site for frequency and comparison with Raunkiaer’s frequency
distribution law.
6. Study of vegetative and floral characters of the following families
(Description, V.S. of flower, section of ovary, floral diagram/s, floral formula/e
and systematic position according to Bentham and Hooker’s system of
classification): Brassicaceae – Nastertium indicum; Asteraceae – Eclipta and
Tridax; Solanaceae – Nicotiana plumbaginifolia, Solanum nigrum, Lamiaceae -
Leonurus sibiricus, Leucas aspera and Ocimum sanctum; Liliaceae - Allium.
7. One Local Excursion and Mounting of a properly dried and pressed
 specimen of any ten wild plant with herbarium label (to be submitted with the
record book).

WEST BENGAL STATE UNIVERSITY

DRAFT SYLLABI STRUCTURE IN BOTANY OF THE 4-YEAR UNDERGRADUATE
PROGRAMME (HONOURS) UNDER NEP BASED CREDIT SYSTEM

(SKILL ENHANCEMENT COURSE)

Course Code: BOTHSEC202M

TECHNIQUE OF VERMICOMPOSTING

Objectives:

The course aims to make students understand the theoretical and practical details of nursery
and gardening. Knowledge so gained will provide them with the means for their employment
and also of others.

Learning outcomes:

The students will be able to distinguish and choose the earthworm species for
vermicomposting. They can develop their own nursery for livelihood and marketing purposes.
The course will also equip the students with the basic skill needed to design vermicomposting
beds.

Unit-1. Introduction to Vermiculture. Definition, meaning , history, economic importance and

value in maintenance of soil structure. Choosing of right worm. Useful species of earth worms,
local species

Unit-2. Vermicomposting materials and their classification.Feeding habits and food for
composting worms.

Unit-3. Vermicomposting methods such as –Small scale and large scale pit method; heap
method, window method etc. Factors affecting vermicomposting such as pH, moisture,
temperature.

Unit-4. Vermicomposting : general procedure in homes; Maintenance of vermicomposting

beds. Hervesting the worms,Earthworm Predators, Parasites and pathogens.

Unit-5. Application of vermicomposting in Agriculture and Horticulture practices. Advantages of

vermicomposting.
Unit-6. Training/ Workshop/ Field visit/ establishment of vermicomposting unit.

Course Code: BOTHSEC202M

TISSUE CULTURE TECHNIQUE AND MICROPROPAGATION

Objectives:

The objective of the course is to provide basic and applied training in the subject for
development of skills for a successful career in entrepreneurship, generate technically trained
human resource for tissue culture industries and as instructors in schools and junior colleges.

Learning outcomes Entrepreneurs who wish to establish their own labs will be benefitted with
the lab to land training; researchers in plant tissue culture who have a focus on commercial
applications such as crop improvement, secondary metabolite production, and various
strategies for inducing genetic interference; persons who want to understand basic laboratory
setup, handling of explant tissue, nutrient medium and establishing the culture, and incubation
of cultures.

Syllabus-3 credits (Classes 30+ Project)

Unit-1. Introduction to plant tissue culture: Definition, brief history, principle and significance
of tissue culture; cellular totipotency – cytodifferentation: factors affecting vasculartissue
differentiation, cell cycle and TE differentiation; organogenic differentation: induction, factors
affecting shoot bud differentiation

Unit- 2. Laboratory organization and Instrumentation: Design and layout for wash area, media
preparation, sterilization and storage room, transfer area for aseptic manipulations, culture
rooms, and observation/data collection areas. labwares, good laboratory practices, good safety.
Working principle, maintenance and management of following instruments: Laminar air flow,
autoclave, distillation unit, pH meter, orbital shaker, microscope, deep freezer, growth chamber
Sterilization: Importance,

Unit-3. Tissue culture media: Introduction, Types of Media and its importance; Preparation of
stocks, pH and Buffers and their significance in media. Media Constituents (Vitamins,
Unidentified supplements, carbohydrate for energy source, Nitrogen source and organic
supplements, complex substances, hormones, Activate charcoal).

Unit-4. Plant hormones: Role of Plant hormones (auxins, cytokinins, abscissic acid, ethyleneand
Gibberellins) in plant development.
Unit-5. Aseptic techniques: Methods of sterilization of equipments, culture media and
explants:-Washing and preparation of glassware’s, packing and sterilization, media
sterilization,surface sterilization, aseptic workstation, precautions to maintain aseptic
conditions.

Unit-6. Micropropagation: Meristem culture for the production of virus free plants. Nucellus
culture for clonal propagation and large scale multiplication, stratagies of micropropagation.
Stages of micropropagation via axillary shoot proliferation in monocots and dicots and methods
of micropropagation through organogenesis. Micropropagation - direct and indirect somatic
embryogenesis. Low cost methods for micropropagation.