Theory: Introduction / The significance of microorganisms in the soil environment. Soil microorganisms. Microbial ecology in soils / Ecological categories of microbial community interactions. Composting and the production of organic soil amendments. Methods for determining and analyzing microbial diversity in soils. The carbon cycle: decomposition of organic residues by microorganisms and enrichment of soil with organic matter. The contribution of organic matter to soil fertility. Methanogenesis. Biochar production. Nitrogen metabolism in soils (ammonification, nitrification, denitrification). Symbiotic and non-symbiotic nitrogen fixation. Sulfur, phosphorus, and iron metabolism. Rhizosphere and spermosphere. Microbial inoculants: production and applications. Interactions between plants and soil microorganisms; symbiotic and non-symbiotic bacteria; biological control of soilborne pathogens. Symbiotic and saprotrophic fungi / Mycorrhizae. Detection of microorganisms in agricultural habitats. Metabolism of xenobiotic compounds in soils; bioremediation of contaminated soils. Laboratory: Thermophilic, aerobic decomposition of organic residues (composting) in bins. Monitoring the composting process and measuring key parameters. Study of soil microbial communities using direct microscopic observation (contact slide assay). Role of microorganisms in soil aggregate formation. Serial dilution method for isolating and enumerating soil microbial populations (dilution plates). Most Probable Number (MPN) method for estimating the population of free-living nitrogen-fixing microorganisms in soil. Mycorrhizae (interactions between plant roots and microorganisms). Antibiotic activity: mechanisms of antagonistic bacteria against soilborne phytopathogenic fungi. Nitrogen metabolism in soil: symbiotic and non-symbiotic nitrogen fixation. Isolation of genomic DNA from soil samples and its applications. Analysis of composting results and determination of mature compost quality parameters.
The Faculty of Crop Science of the Agricultural University of Athens (AUA), was founded in June 1989 (Official Journal of the Hellenic Republic Νο. 166Α΄/16-6-1989) it is the first University Faculty of Crop Science founded in Greece
