BOA301M4 : Advanced Plant Pathology
Course code BOA301M4
Course title  Advanced Plant Pathology
Credit value 4
 Hourly breakdown Theory Practical /Field visit Independent Learning
40 68 92
 

Objective/s

 

  •  Provide knowledge of various plant diseases caused by biotic and abiotic factors
  •  Introduce losses due to postharvest diseases
  •  Impart knowledge on identification, characterization and management of diseases using molecular biological approaches
  •  Provide knowledge of host pathogen interaction and various disease management practices
 

Intended learning outcomes

 

  • Interpret the concepts and fundamentals of plant diseases caused by biotic and abiotic factors
  • Apply effective methods to prevent postharvest losses
  • Analyze the concepts and techniques of plant disease diagnosis
  • Apply basic concepts and techniques of molecular plant pathology
  • Adopt plant disease management practices
  • Discuss recent trends in plant pathology
 

Course Contents

  •  Diseases caused by biotic and abiotic factors; Diseases of field crops; Post-harvest diseases of fruits, vegetables and flowers
  • Post-harvest disease management practices; Interactions between plants and pathogens: effect of pathogens on plant physiology and structure, plant resistance and pathogen response.
  • Diseases caused by proteins; Plant parasitic nematodes; Techniques used in plant disease diagnosis; Methods in molecular diagnosis (nucleic acid based diagnosis, immunoassays, monoclonal antibodies)
  • Plant disease management. Ecological plant pathology: epidemiology, disease forecasting, disease assessment; Plant disease management: chemical, cultural, biological control, etc. and integrated approaches. Introduction to recent trends and developments in different disciplines in plant pathology.
 Teaching and Learning Methods/Activities Lectures, practical, tutorial discussion, take-home assignments, seminar and oral presentation by students, field-based studies, reading assignments.
 

Evaluation /Assessment strategy

Theory: In-course assessment(s)                 :            30%

               End of Course Examination           :            70%

Practical: In-course assessment(s)              :             30%

                  End of Course Examination        :             70%

Overall mark = (6MT+4MP)/10

MT = Marks for theory component, MP = Marks for practical component

 

References

 

  • Agrios, G. N. (2005). Plant Pathology, 5th Ed. Elsevier Academic Press.
  • Narayanasamy, P. (2008). Molecular Biology in plant pathogenesis and disease management: Microbial plant pathogens. Springer.
  • De Costa, D. M. (2014). Molecular Biological Techniques –Applications in Plant Pathology and Microbiology, Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.
  • Lacomme, C. (2015). Plant pathology: Techniques and protocols, 2nd Ed. Humana Press.
BOA302M3 : Advanced Biochemistry
Course code BOA302M3
Course title  Advanced Biochemistry
Credit value 3
 Hourly breakdown      Theory   Practical        Independent Learning
       30        36         84
 Objective/s
  • Impart knowledge of metabolic pathways
  • Provide knowledge of techniques in biochemistry
 

Intended learning outcomes

 

  • Explain metabolism of major macromolecules
  • Discuss the regulation of metabolic pathways
  • Interpret sequences and structure of protein
  • Apply the biochemical techniques in various studies
  • Explain the role of secondary metabolites in plants
 

Course Contents

  • Metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins and lipids
  • Techniques in biochemistry; colorimetry, autoradiography, HPLC and electrophoresis.
  • Organization and regulation of metabolic pathways, principles of biosynthesis of primary and secondary metabolites, origin and distribution of primary and secondary metabolites within plants, functional proteins and biological membranes.
 Teaching and Learning Methods/Activities Lectures, practical sessions, tutorial discussion, take-home assignments, seminar and oral presentation by students
 

Evaluation /Assessment strategy

Theory: In-course assessment(s)                       :           30%

               End of Course Examination                 :           70%

Practical: In-course assessment(s)                    :            30%

                   End of Course Examination             :             70%

Overall mark = (6MT+4MP)/10

MT = Marks for theory component, MP = Marks for practical component

 

 

References

 

  • Nelson, D. L., Lechninger, A. L. and Lehninger, M. M. C. (2000).  Principles of Biochemistry, 5th Ed. W. H. Freeman.
  • Stryer, L. (2011). Biochemistry, 6th Ed. Library of congress cataloging in publication data.
  • Voet, D., Voet, J. G. and Pratt, C. W. (1999). Biochemistry, 4th Ed. Wiley, John and Sons publishers.
BOA303M3 : Molecular Genetics
Course code BOA303M3
Course title  Molecular Genetics
Credit value 3
 Hourly breakdown      Theory   Practical        Independent Learning
       30         56        64
 Objective/s
  • Provide knowledge of theoretical principles of molecular genetics
  • Introduce new approaches in molecular genetics
 

Intended learning outcomes

 

  • Recall various properties of nucleic acids.
  • Explain the structure and function of genes.
  • Discuss the genetic consequences and molecular mechanisms of several prokaryotic and eukaryotic gene regulation systems.
  • Apply the construction of molecular maps using markers
 

 

Course Contents

  •  Genetic system within plasmids, mitochondria and chloroplasts.
  • Organization of Eukaryotic genes.
  • Prokaryotic gene regulation, Eukaryotic gene regulation – DNA replication, recombination, transcription, translation and gene expression
  • Microbial genetics.
  • Transposable elements, transposition.
  • Genetic variation and genetic analysis – quantitative, population and evolution. Genetic mapping using different tools and markers.
  • Gene manipulation.
  • Functional genomics, Phylogenetic analysis, Epigenetics, Disease diagnosis and gene therapy.
  • Mutation, DNA repair, Genes and cancer: oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes, Evolution of genes and genomes, Ethical issues related to genetic studies.
 Teaching and Learning Methods/Activities Lectures, practical sessions, tutorial discussion, take-home assignments, seminar and oral presentation by students
 

Evaluation /Assessment strategy

Theory: In-course assessment(s)                       :           30%

                End of Course Examination                :           70%

Practical: In-course assessment(s)                    :            30%

                  End of Course Examination              :             70%

Overall mark = (6MT+4MP)/10

MT = Marks for theory component, MP = Marks for practical component

 

 

References

 

  • Robert Schleif, (1993),Genetics and Molecular Biology , Second edition, The Johns Hopkins University Press (ISBN 0-8018-4673-0).
  • Larry Snyder,  Wendy Champness (2013), Molecular Genetics of Bacteria, Fourth revised edition, ASM press (ISBN: 978-1-55581-627-8).
  • Watson, James D. (2014), Molecular biology of the gene, Seventh edition, Pearson/ Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press (ISBN:9780321762436.
BOA304M3 : Advanced Plant Physiology
Course code BOA304M3
Course title  Advanced Plant Physiology
Credit value 3
Hourly  breakdown      Theory   Practical / Field visit Independent Learning
       30        56      64
 

Objective/s:  

 

  • Provide deeper insights of plant physiology and novel applications.
  • Appreciate knowledge on photosynthesis, productivity, stomatal
  • Physiology and  photomorphogenesis of plants
 

Intended learning outcomes:  

 

  • Discuss the evolution of photosynthetic system and organization of   chloroplast.
  • Explain photosystems, mechanism of ATP and NADPH   synthesis.
  • Analyze CO2 concentrating mechanisms, Rubisco and plant productivity.
  • Apply phenotypic plasticity, plant growth and hormones.
  • Elaborate the role of phytochrome in plant development.
 

 

Course Contents:

  • Ultra-structure of plant cell
  • Genetics, assembly and evolution of photosynthetic system, organization of photosynthetic apparatus, chloroplast genome and proteins
  • Photosynthetic pigments, light signal, photosystem I and II, mechanism of electron transport, proton transport and ATP synthesis.
  • Regulation of Calvin cycle, CO2 concentrating mechanisms, C2 oxidative photosynthetic carbon cycle, structure, synthesis, mechanism and regulations of Rubisco, photosynthesis and plant productivity
  • Significance of photosynthesis in agriculture.
  • Ecological considerations and photosynthesis.
  • Phenotypic plasticity.
  • Blue light photoreceptors and stomatal physiology.
  • Recent advances in photosynthesis.
  • Nutrient film technique, hydroponics.
  • Nutrient deficiency.
  • Plant growth, plant growth measurements.
  • Hormonal regulation in plant development.
  • Commercial applications of plant hormones.
  • Photomorphogenesis: Phytochrome, PHY genes, localization of phytochromes, functional domains, structure of phytochrome, lag time and escape time, phytochrome induced responses.
  • Circadian rhythms, ecological functions, cellular and molecular mechanisms.
  • Laboratory sessions and visit related to the above topics.
 Teaching and Learning Methods/Activities Lectures, practical sessions, tutorial discussion, field-based studies, take-home assignments, seminar and oral presentation by students
 

Evaluation /Assessment strategy

Theory: In-course assessment(s): 30%

             End of Course    Examination: 70%

Practical: In-course assessment(s):30%

             End of Course Examination: 70%

Overall marks = (6MT+4MP)/10

MT = Marks for theory component, MP = Marks for practical component

 

 References

 

  • Taiz, L and Zeiger, E. (2010). Plant physiology, 5th edition. USA: Sinauer Associates Inc.
  • Taiz, L., Zeiger, E., Moller, M and Murphy, A. (2018). Plant physiology and development, 6th edition. USA: Sinauer Associates Inc.
BOA305M3 : Applied Botany
Course code BOA305M3
Course title  Applied Botany
Credit value 3
Hourly  breakdown      Theory   Practical / Field visit Independent Learning
       30        56      64
 Objective/s:  
  • Provide knowledge of economically important plants with special reference to medicinal plants, weeds, plantation crops, food crops and marine vegetation
 

Intended learning outcomes:  

 

  • Discuss medicinal plants, ethnobotany and biologically active compounds
  • Explain physiology, harvesting, handling and storage of tropical fruit crops
  • Distinguish the different types of weeds and their control methods
  • Discuss the economic importance of various crops
  • Identify different groups of marine algae                
  • Choose the techniques in culturing marine algae
  • Explain coastal zone conservation practices
 

 

Course Contents:

  • Medicinal plants; Description, identification, nomenclature and classification of medicinal plants, climate and species distribution, endemics, ethnobotany.
  • Pharmaceutical plants from ethnobotanical studies.
  • Biologically active compounds and methods of extraction.
  • Antifungal, antibacterial and antioxidant activity of bioactive compounds.
  • Quality control and conservation of medicinal plants.
  • Pomology: Introduction, tropical fruit crops, climate, growth and development- flowering, pollination/fertilization, fruit set – Fruit growth, Fruit maturation, harvest, handling and storage.
  • Current research on pomology.
  • Plantation crops:  Identification, distribution, description, biology and economic importance of plantation crops in Sri Lanka.
  • Weed Biology: Major weeds of Sri Lanka, noxious weeds, identification, description and control.
  • Marine Botany: Marine vegetation, Phytoplankton, uses, culturing and economic importance of marine algae, algal-based products, marine and coastal zone conservation.
 Teaching and Learning Methods/Activities Lectures, practical sessions, tutorial discussion, field-based studies, take-home assignments, seminar and oral presentation by students.
 

Evaluation /Assessment strategy

Theory: In-course assessment(s): 30%

             End of Course    Examination: 70%

Practical: In-course assessment(s):30%

             End of Course Examination: 70%

Overall marks = (6MT+4MP)/10

MT – Marks for theory component, MP – Marks for practical component

 

 

References

 

  • Rao, V. S. (1999). Principles of weed science, Second edition, Science Publishers.
  • Theivendirarajah, K. (2008).  Palmyrah Palm (Borassus flabellifer L.), A monograph.
  • Dawes, C. J. (1998).  Marine Botany, Second edition, Wiley and Co.
  • Pandey, B. P. (2003). Economic Botany. New Delhi: S. Chand & Company Ltd.
  • Kochhar, S. L. (2016). Economic botany. Cambridge University Press.
  • Peter, K. V. (2007). Fruit crops. Horticulture Science Series, Vol. 3. New India: Publishing Agency.
BOA306M2: Plant Breeding
Course code BOA306M2
Course title  Plant Breeding
Credit value 2
 Hourly breakdown      Theory   Practical / Field visit Independent Learning
       20        24      56
 

Objective/s:  

 

  • Impart knowledge of different plant breeding techniques
  • Provide knowledge of botanical garden and germplasm conservation
  • Introduce  statistical methods in plant breeding
 

Intended learning outcomes:  

  • Discuss different conservation methods
  • Explain the merits and demerits of different plant breeding techniques
  • Test new plant cultivars
 

 

Course Contents:

  • Role of plant breeding in society.
  • Modes of reproduction and types of cultivar.
  • Germplasm conservation.
  • Botanic Gardens, Plant Breeding Organizations.
  • Statistical methods in plant breeding.
  • Techniques in plant breeding: classic and modern methods.
  • Selected breeding objectives.
  • Cultivar release and commercial seed production.
  • Breeding of major crops: Cereal grains and fruit crops in Jaffna.
 Teaching and Learning Methods/Activities Lectures, practical sessions, tutorial discussion, field-based studies, take-home assignments, seminar and oral presentation by students.
 

Evaluation /Assessment strategy

Theory: In-course assessment(s): 30%

             End of Course    Examination: 70%

Practical: In-course assessment(s):30%

             End of Course Examination: 70%

Overall marks = (6MT+4MP)/10

MT – Marks for theory component, MP – Marks for practical component

 

 References

 

  • Brown, J. and Caligari, P. (2008). An Introduction to Plant Breeding. Blackwell Publishers.
  • Acquaah, G. (2012). Principles of Plant Genetics and Breeding. Wiley – Blackwell Publishers.
  • Schlegel, R. H. J. (2003).  Encyclopedic Dictionary of Plant Breeding and Related Subjects. New York: Haworth Press.
  • Allard, R. W. (1999). Principles of Plant Breeding. John Wiley and Sons.
  • Sleper, D. A. and Poehlman, J. M. (2006). Breeding Field Crops, Blackwell, Iowa.