The Department of Agricultural Microbiology was established in 2007. The M.Sc. programme in Agricultural Microbiology has been offered since 2012-13, and the Ph.D. programme since 2017.

Objective

Strengthening teaching, research, and extension activities in microbial inoculant technology.

About the Institution

The Department offers courses for B.Sc.(Hons.)Ag., M.Sc., and Ph.D. programmes. The present intake capacity is four students per year for M.Sc. and one student per year for Ph.D.

Facilities

• An undergraduate laboratory for assisting UG practical classes. The PG lab is equipped with instruments such as nitrogen estimation unit, flame photometer, laminar air flow, autoclave, incubator shaker, etc. Separate classroom facility is available for PG teaching.
• An institutional facility with sophisticated equipment such as refrigerated centrifuge, deep freezers, lyophilizer, etc., available to all researchers and students.
• Molecular biology lab
• A research lab to facilitate ongoing research programmes
• A training hall
• A factory for production of microbial inoculants with more than 100 tons production capacity
• A glasshouse facility for maintaining experimental plants and mother cultures of mycorrhizal inoculum

Extension and Other Activities

• Faculties serve as resource persons in seminars, training programmes, radio and TV programmes.
• Consultancy and technical support to microbial inoculant production centers using our mother culture.
• Job training to start production units.
• Regular technical advice to farmers.
• The experiential learning programme for UG students helps acquaint them with mass production of microbial inoculants. Each year, 20% of revenue generated during the programme is given to participating students.
• Facilities are extended to students from other universities for project work in M.Sc. (Microbiology) after signing an MOU with Kerala Agricultural University.

Awards

KRISHI VIGYAN (2002-2003) of Govt. of Kerala.