Diversity of Plants BOTN-5101

3+1=4

This course deals with viruses, bacteria and various groups of plants from simple aquatic plants to complex land plants. This course includes study of life form, structure, reproduction and economic importance of variety of plant taxa belonging to various groups of plants. This course starts from viruses which make a border line between living and non-living things followed by prokaryotic bacteria, cyanobacteria algae, fungi, bryophytes, pteridophytes, gymnosperms and angiosperms respectively. It also deals with evolutionary history of different groups of plants with emphasis on representative fossil and living taxa. Study will emphasize on life transition from ocean to much changed terrestrial environment, colonization of land by plants through adaptations. How did advanced groups make them able to survive under fluctuating temperature and limited supply of water through the evolution leaves, stem, strobili, cones, vascular bundles, seeds and fruit. Although special emphasis will be on life form, structure, reproduction and economic importance of representative taxa of these groups, it will also cover information related to anatomy, ecology and adaptive strategies of representative taxa. Plants are one of the most successful and abundant groups of organisms on earth, making a major part of terrestrial biomass. Plants as producers are key players in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystem. Students will also learn about the morphology and life cycle of plant pathogens viruses, bacteria and fungi. Lab practical work will make the students able to identify representative taxa on the basis of morphological and anatomical studies of various organs like root, stem and leaves and reproductive structures of these plant taxa. They will learn how to stain bacteria to identify gram positive and gram negative bacteria. They will learn about the fungal disease in plants like rust and smut through observation of prepared slides of various stages of these fungal diseases in the laboratory. Plants are lungs of nature making the environment clean and safe for animals, providing them with food and shelter. Plants are marvelous gift of nature, seeking human attention for assurance of life on this wonderful planet earth.

Contents

Comparative study of life form, structure, reproduction and economic significance of:

Viruses (RNA and DNA types) with special reference to TMV
Bacteria and Cyanobacteria (Nostoc, Anabaena, Oscillatoria) with specific reference to bio fertilizers, pathogenicity and industrial importance;
Algae (Chlamydomonas, Spirogyra, Chara, Vaucheria, Pinnularia, Ectocarpus, Polysiphonia)
Fungi (Mucor, Penicillium, Phyllactinia, Ustilago, Puccinia, Agaricus) their implication on crop production and industrial applications.
Lichens (Physcia)
Bryophytes (Riccia, Anthoceros, Funaria)
Pteridophytes: Psilopsida (Psilotum) ,Pteropsida (Marsilea), Sphenopsida (Equisetum) Lycopsida (Selaginella)
Gymnosperms (Cycas,Pinus, Ephedra)
Angiosperms: Monocot (Poaceae) , Dicot (Solanaceae)

Lab work

Culturing, maintenance, preservation and staining of microorganisms.
Study of morphology and reproductive structures of the types mentioned in theory.
Identification of various types mentioned from prepared slides and fresh collections.

Recommended Texts

Bellinger, E. G., & Sigee, D. C. (2015). Freshwater Algae. New Jersey: Wiley Publishers.
Prestre, P. G. (2017). Governing Global Biodiversity: The Evolution and Implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity. Abingdon: Routledge Publishers.

Suggested Readings

Şen, B., & Grillo, O. (2018). Selected Studies in Biodiversity. London: Intech Open Publishers.
Zotz, G. (2016). Plants on Plants: The biology of vascular epiphytes. Berlin: Springer-Verlag.
Cronk, J. K., & Fennessy, M. S. (2016). Wetland plants: biology and ecology. Florida: CRC Press.
Pullaiah T., Bahadur, B., & Murthy, K. (2015). Plant biodiversity. Berlin: Springer-Verlag.

Assessment criteria: