CBCS Undergraduate Programme, 2018 : Botany Honours (Last updated: 08-04- 2019)

CHOICE BASED CREDIT SYSTEM

B.Sc. BOTANY HONOURS

Passed in the Board of Studies in Life Sciences, Dibrugarh University

held on 8th April, 2019.

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 CBCS Undergraduate Programme, 2018 : Botany Honours (Last updated: 08-04- 2019)

SCHEME AND SYLLABUS FOR CHOICE BASED CREDIT SYSTEM

FOR B.Sc. HONOURS BOTANY
Semester Core Course(14) Ability Skill Discipline Generic
Enhancement Enhancement Specific Elective
Compulsory Course Elective GE (4)
Course (2) SEC (2) DCE (4)

I Microbiology and Phycology English GE-1

Communication /
Environmental
Science
Biomolecules and Cell
Biology
II Mycology and Environmental GE-2
Phytopathology Science / English
Communication
Archegoniate
III Anatomy of Angiosperms SEC -1 GE-3
Economic Botany

Genetics
IV Molecular Biology SEC -2 GE-4

Plant Ecology &

Phytogeography
Plant Systematics

V Reproductive Biology of DSE-1

Angiosperms
Plant Physiology DSE-2

VI Plant Metabolism DSE -3 ,

Plant Biotechnology DSE-4

Important Notes
a) Practicals of each semester Core courses be clubbed together during end semester
examinations, but separate marksheets of each practical core course should be prepared.

b) Practicals of DSE in each semester (5th / 6th) 2be clubbed together during end semester
 CBCS Undergraduate Programme, 2018 : Botany Honours (Last updated: 08-04- 2019)

Semester Course Course Course Name Credits

Code
I Ability Enhancement Compulsory Course-I English communications/ Environmental 2
Science
BC101T Core course-I Microbiology and Phycology 4
BC101P Core Course-I Practical Microbiology and Phycology 2
BC102T Core course-II Biomolecules and Cell Biology 4
BC102P Core Course-II Practical Biomolecules and Cell Biology 2
BG101T Generic Elective -1 Theory GE-1(T) 4
BG101P Generic Elective -1 Practical/Tutorial GE-1(P) 2
II Ability Enhancement Compulsory Course-II English communications/Environmental 2
Science
BC203T Core course-III Mycology and Phytopathology 4
BC203P Core Course-III Practical Mycology and Phytopathology 2
BC204T Core course-IV Archegoniate 4
BC204P Core Course-IV Practical Archegoniate 2
BG202T Generic Elective -2 Theory GE-2(T) 4
BG202P Generic Elective -2 Practical GE-2(P) 2
III BC305T Core course-V Anatomy of Angiosperms 4
BC305P Core Course-V Practical Anatomy of Angiosperms 2
BC306T Core course-VI Economic Botany 4
BC306P Core Course-VI Practical Economic Botany 2
BC307T Core course-VII Genetics 4
BC307P Core Course-VII Practical Genetics 2
BS301 Skill Enhancement Course-1 SEC-1: Any one course from I to V 4
I. Biofertilizers
II. Herbal Technology
III. Nursery and Gardening
IV. Floriculture
V. Medicinal Botany
BG303T Generic Elective -3 Theory GE-3(T) 4
BG303P Generic Elective -3 Practical GE-3(P) 2
IV BC408T Core course-VIII Molecular Biology 4
BC408P Course-VIII Practical Molecular Biology 2
BC409T Core course-IX Plant Ecology & Phytogeography 4
BC409P Course-IX Practical Plant Ecology & Phytogeography 2
BC410T Core course-X Plant Systematics 4
BC410P Core Course- X Practical Plant Systematics 2
BS402 Skill Enhancement Course-2 SEC-2: Any one course from VI to X 4
VI. Plant Diversity and Human Welfare
VII. Ethnobotany
VIII. Mushroom Culture Technology
IX. Intellectual Property Rights
X. Tea Plantation and management
BG404T Generic Elective -4 Theory GE-4(T) 4
BG404P Generic Elective -4 Practical GE-4(P) 2
V BC511T Core course-XI Reproductive Biology of Angiosperms 4
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 CBCS Undergraduate Programme, 2018 : Botany Honours (Last updated: 08-04- 2019)

BC511P Core Course-XI Practical Reproductive Biology of Angiosperms 2

BC512T Core course-XII Plant Physiology 4
BC512P Core Course-XII Practical Plant Physiology 2
Discipline Specific Elective: Students may opt any two of the following courses (Two Theory courses along
with relevant Practical courses)
BD501T Discipline Specific Elective -1 DSE-1: Analytical Techniques in Plant 4
Sciences
BD501P Discipline Specific Elective -1 Practical 2
BD502T Discipline Specific Elective -2 DSE-2: Bioinformatics 4
BD502P Discipline Specific Elective- 2 Practical/Tutorial 2
BD503T Discipline Specific Elective -3 DSE-3: Research Methodology 4
BD503P Discipline Specific Elective -3 Practical 2
BD504T Discipline Specific Elective -4 DSE-4: Industrial and Environmental 4
Microbiology
BD504P Discipline Specific Elective -4 Practical 2
VI BC613T Core course-XIII Plant Metabolism 4
BC613P Core Course-XIII Practical/Tutorial Plant Metabolism 2
BC614T Core course-XIV Plant Biotechnology 4
BC614P Core Course-XIV Practical/Tutorial Plant Biotechnology 2
Discipline Specific Elective: Students may opt any two of the following courses (Two Theory courses along
with relevant Practical courses)
BD605T Discipline Specific Elective -5 DSE-5: Plant Breeding 4
BD605P Discipline Specific Elective -5 Practical/Tutorial 2
BD606T Discipline Specific Elective-6 DSE-6: Natural Resource Management 4
BD606P Discipline Specific Elective -6 Practical/Tutorial 2
BD607T Discipline Specific Elective -7 DSE-7: Horticultural Practices and Post- 4
Harvest Technology
BD607P Discipline Specific Elective -7 Practical/Tutorial 2
BD608T Discipline Specific Elective-8 DSE-8: Biostatistics 4
BD608P Discipline Specific Elective -8 Practical/Tutorial 2
Total: 140

Coding pattern: B = Botany, C= Core Course, D = Discipline Specific Elective, G= General Elective, S = Skill
Enhancement Course, T = Theory, P = Practical

Generic Electives (Interdepartmental courses; to be opted by students of other departments)

I. Biodiversity (Microbes, Algae, Fungi and Archegoniate)
II. Plant Ecology and Taxonomy
III. Plant Anatomy and Embryology
IV. Plant Physiology and Metabolism
V. Economic Botany and Biotechnology
VI. Environmental Biotechnology

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CBCS Undergraduate Programme, 2018 : Botany Honours (Last updated: 08-04- 2019)

Core Courses

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Semester-I
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Course Code: BC101T
Core Course I: Microbiology and Phycology

The objective of this course is to provide knowledge to the students on various forms of microbes
and algae - their characteristics and economic importance.

(Credits: Theory-4, Practical-2)

THEORY

Lectures: 60

Unit 1: Introduction to microbial world

Economic importance of viruses with reference to vaccine production, role in research, medicine and
diagnostics, as causal organisms of plant diseases. Economic importance of bacteria with reference
to their role in agriculture and industry (fermentation and medicine). (7 lectures)

Unit 2: Bacteria

Discovery, general characteristics; Types-archaebacteria, eubacteria, wall-less forms (mycoplasma

and spheroplasts); Cell structure; Nutritional types; Growth, Reproduction-vegetative, asexual and
recombination (basic concept of conjugation, transformation and transduction).
(7 lectures)

Unit 3: Viruses

Discovery, physiochemical and biological characteristics;, general structure with special reference to
viroids and prions; DNA virus (T-phage), RNA virus (TMV). replication (general account), lytic
and lysogenic cycle; outline of classification (Baltimore) (7 lectures)

Unit 4: Algae

General characteristics; Ecology and distribution; range of thallus organization; Cell structure and
components; cell wall, pigment system, reserve food (of only groups represented in the syllabus),
flagella; methods of reproduction; Classification; criteria, system of Fritsch, and evolutionary
classification of Lee (only upto groups); Significant contributions of important phycologists (F.E.
Fritsch, G.M. Smith, R.N. Singh, T.V. Desikachary, H.D. Kumar, M.O.P. Iyengar). Role of algae in
the environment, agriculture, biotechnology and industry. (11 lectures)

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Unit 5: Cyanophyta, Chlorophyta, Xanthophyta and Charophyta

Ecology and occurrence; Range of thallus organization; Cell structure; Reproduction,

Morphology and life-cycle of Nostoc and Vaucheria. General characteristics; Occurrence; Range
of thallus organization; Cell structure; Reproduction. Morphology and life-cycles of
Chlamydomonas, Volvox, Oedogonium, Coleochaete, Chara.
Evolutionary significance of Prochloron. (16 lectures)

Unit 6: Phaeophyta and Rhodophyta

Characteristics; Occurrence; Range of thallus organization; Cell structure; Reproduction.

Morphology and life-cycles of Ectocarpus, Fucus, Gracilaria and Polysiphonia.
(12 lectures)

Course Code: BC101P

Core Course I - Practical: Microbiology and Phycology

Microbiology

1. Electron micrographs/Models of viruses – T-Phage and TMV, Line drawings/ Photographs of

Lytic and Lysogenic Cycle.

2. Types of Bacteria to be observed from temporary/permanent slides/photographs. Electron

micrographs of bacteria, binary fission, endospore, conjugation, root Nodule.

3. Gram staining.

Phycology

Study of vegetative and reproductive structures and semi-permanent slide preparations of Nostoc,
Volvox, Oedogonium,Coleochaete, Chara, Vaucheria, Ectocarpus, Fucus and
Polysiphonia,Procholoron through electron micrographs, temporary preparations, study of
permanent slides.

Suggested Readings

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 CBCS Undergraduate Programme, 2018 : Botany Honours (Last updated: 08-04- 2019)

1. Lee, R.E. (2008). Phycology, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. 4th edition.

2. Wiley JM, Sherwood LM and Woolverton CJ. (2013) Prescott’s Microbiology. 9th Edition.
McGraw Hill International.

3. Kumar, H.D. (1999). Introductory Phycology. Affiliated East-West Press, Delhi.

4. Sahoo, D. (2000). Farming the ocean: seaweeds cultivation and utilization. Aravali International,
New Delhi.
5. Campbell, N.A., Reece J.B., Urry L.A., Cain M.L., Wasserman S.A. Minorsky P.V., Jackson
R.B. (2008). Biology, Pearson Benjamin Cummings, USA. 8th edition.

6. Pelczar, M.J. (2001) Microbiology, 5th edition, Tata McGraw-Hill Co, New Delhi.

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 CBCS Undergraduate Programme, 2018 : Botany Honours (Last updated: 08-04- 2019)

Course Code: BC102T

Core Course II: Biomolecules and Cell Biology

The objective of this course is to expose the students on molecular organisations life and
also discusses cellular and molecular processes of life.

(Credits: Theory-4, Practical-2)

THEORY
Lectures: 60

Unit 1: Biomolecules (20 lectures)

Types and significance of chemical bonds; Structure and properties of water; pH and buffers.
Carbohydrates: Nomenclature and classification; Monosaccharides; Disaccharides;
Oligosaccharides and polysaccharides.
Lipids: Definition and major classes of storage and structural lipids; Fatty acids structure and
functions; Essential fatty acids; Triacyl glycerols structure, functions and properties;
Phosphoglycerides.
Proteins: Structure of amino acids; Levels of protein structure-primary, secondary, tertiary and
quarternary; Protein denaturation and biological roles of proteins.
Nucleic acids: Structure of nitrogenous bases; Structure and function of nucleotides; Types of
nucleic acids; Structure of A, B, Z types of DNA; Types of RNA; Structure of tRNA.

Unit 2: Bioenergetics (4 lectures)

Laws of thermodynamics, concept of free energy, endergonic and exergonic reactions, coupled
reactions, redox reactions. ATP: structure, its role as a energy currency molecule.

Unit 3: Enzymes (6 lectures)

Structure of enzyme: holoenzyme, apoenzyme, cofactors, coenzymes and prosthetic group;
Classification of enzymes; Features of active site, substrate specificity, mechanism of action
(activation energy, lock and key hypothesis, induced - fit theroy), Michaelis – Menten equation,
enzyme inhibition and factors affecting enzyme activity.

Unit4: The cell, Cell wall and plasma membrane (8 lectures)

Cell as a unit of structure and function; Cell theory and its exception; Characteristics of prokaryotic
and eukaryotic cells; Origin of eukaryotic cell (End symbiotic theory); Chromosome (types,
structure and function). Chemistry, structure and function of Plant cell wall. Overview of membrane
function; fluid mosaic model; Chemical composition of membranes; Membrane transport – Passive,
active and facilitated transport, endocytosis and exocytosis.

Unit 5: Cell organelles (16 lectures)

Nucleus: Structure-nuclear envelope, nuclear pore complex, nuclear lamina, molecular organization
of chromatin; nucleolus.
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 CBCS Undergraduate Programme, 2018 : Botany Honours (Last updated: 08-04- 2019)

Cytoskeleton: Role and structure of microtubules, microfilaments and intermediary filament.

Chloroplast, mitochondria and peroxisomes: Structural organization; Function;
Semiautonomous nature of mitochondria and chloroplast.
Endomembrane system: Endoplasmic Reticulum – Structure, targeting and insertion of proteins
in the ER, protein folding, processing; Smooth ER and lipid synthesis, export of proteins and
lipids; Golgi Apparatus – organization, protein glycosylation, protein sorting and export from
Golgi Apparatus; Lysosomes

Unit 6: Cell division (6 lectures)

Phases of eukaryotic cell cycle, mitosis and meiosis; Regulation of cell cycle- checkpoints, role
of protein kinases.

Course Code: BC102P

Core Course II - Practical: Biomolecules and Cell Biology

1. Qualitative tests for carbohydrates, reducing sugars, non-reducing sugars, lipids and proteins.
2. Study of plant cell structure with the help of epidermal peel mount of Onion/Rhoeo/Crinum.
3. Demonstration of the phenomenon of protoplasmic streaming in Hydrilla leaf.
4. Measurement of cell size by the technique of micrometry.
5. Counting the cells per unit volume with the help of haemocytometer. (Yeast/pollen grains).
6. Study of cell and its organelles with the help of electron micrographs.
7. Cytochemical staining of : DNA- Feulgen and cell wall in the epidermal peel of onion using
Periodic Schiff’s (PAS) staining technique.
8. Study the phenomenon of plasmolysis and deplasmolysis.
9. Study the effect of organic solvent and temperature on membrane permeability.
10. Study different stages of mitosis and meiosis.
Suggested Readings

1. Campbell, MK (2012) Biochemistry, 7th ed., Published by Cengage Learning

2. Campbell, PN and Smith AD (2011) Biochemistry Illustrated, 4th ed., Published by Churchill
Livingstone
3. Tymoczko JL, Berg JM and Stryer L (2012) Biochemistry: A short course, 2nd ed.,
W.H.Freeman
4. Berg JM, Tymoczko JL and Stryer L (2011) Biochemistry, W.H.Freeman and Company
5. Nelson DL and Cox MM (2008) Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry, 5th Edition., W.H.
Freeman and Company.
th
6. Karp, G. (2010). Cell Biology, John Wiley & Sons, U.S.A. 6 edition.
7. Hardin, J., Becker, G., Skliensmith, L.J. (2012). Becker’s World of the Cell, Pearson Education
Inc. U.S.A. 8th edition.
8. Cooper, G.M. and Hausman, R.E. (2009) The Cell: A Molecular Approach. 5th edition. ASM
Press & Sunderland, Washington, D.C.; Sinauer Associates, MA.

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Semester-II
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Course Code: BC203T

Core Course III: Mycology and Phytopathology
The objective of this course is to expose the students on the fungal world, different fungal
diseases; their economic importances etc.
(Credits: Theory-4, Practical-2)

THEORY
Lectures: 60

Unit 1: Introduction to fungi (6 lectures)

General characteristics; Affinities with plants and animals; Thallus organization; Cell wall
composition; Nutrition; Classification.

Unit 2: Chytridiomycota, Zygomycota, Ascomycota and Basidiomycota (23 lecture)

Characteristic features; Ecology and significance; Thallus organisation; Reproduction; Life cycle
with reference to Synchytrium, Rhizopus .
General characteristics (asexual and sexual fruiting bodies); Ecology; Life cycle, Heterokaryosis and
parasexuality; Life cycle and classification with reference to Saccharomyces, Aspergillus,
Penicillium, Alternaria, Neurospora and Peziza.
General characteristics; Ecology; Life cycle and Classification with reference to black stem rust on
wheat Puccinia (Physiological Specialization), loose and covered smut (symptoms only), Agaricus;
Bioluminescence, Fairy Rings and Mushroom Cultivation.

Unit 3: Allied Fungi and Oomycota (7 lectures)

General characteristics; Status of Slime molds, Classification; Occurrence; Types of plasmodia;
Types of fruiting bodies.
General characteristics; Ecology; Life cycle and classification with reference to Phytophthora,
Albugo.

Unit 4: Symbiotic associations (4 lectures)

Lichen – Occurrence; General characteristics; Growth forms and range of thallus organization;
Nature of associations of algal and fungal partners; Reproduction; Mycorrhiza-Ectomycorrhiza,
Endomycorrhiza and their significance.

Unit 5: Applied Mycology (10 Lectures)

Role of fungi in biotechnology; Application of fungi in food industry (Flavour & texture,
Fermentation, Baking, Organic acids, Enzymes, Mycoproteins); Secondary metabolites

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 CBCS Undergraduate Programme, 2018 : Botany Honours (Last updated: 08-04- 2019)

(Pharmaceutical preparations); Agriculture (Biofertilizers); Mycotoxins; Biological control

(Mycofungicides, Mycoherbicides, Mycoinsecticides, Myconematicides); Medical mycology.

Unit 6: Phytopathology (10 lectures)

Terms and concepts; General symptoms; Geographical distribution of diseases; Etiology;
Symptomology; Host-Pathogen relationships; Disease cycle and environmental relation; prevention
and control of plant diseases, and role of quarantine.
Bacterial diseases – Citrus canker and angular leaf spot of cotton. Viral diseases – Tobacco Mosaic
viruses, vein clearing. Algal disease- Cephalurous, Fungal diseases – Early blight of potato, Black
stem rust of wheat, White rust of crucifers.

Course Code: BC203P

Core Course III - Practical: Mycology and Phytopathology
Practical

1. Introduction to the world of fungi (Unicellular, coenocytic/septate mycelium, ascocarps &

basidiocarps).

2. Rhizopus: study of asexual stage from temporary mounts and sexual structures through
permanent slides.

3. Aspergillus and Penicillium: study of asexual stage from temporary mounts. Study of Sexual
stage from permanent slides/photographs.

4. Peziza: sectioning through ascocarp.

5. Alternaria: Specimens/photographs and temporary mounts.

6. Puccinia: Herbarium specimens of Black Stem Rust of Wheat and infected Barberry leaves;
sections/ mounts of spores on wheat and permanent slides of both the hosts.

7. Agaricus: Specimens of button stage and full grown mushroom; sectioning of gills of Agaricus,
fairy rings and bioluminescent mushrooms to be shown.
8. Study of phaneroplasmodium from actual specimens and /or photograph. Study of Stemonitis
sporangia.
9. Albugo: Study of symptoms of plants infected with Albugo; asexual phase study through section/
temporary mounts and sexual structures through permanent slides.

10. Lichens: Study of growth forms of lichens (crustose, foliose and fruticose) on different
substrates. Study of thallus and reproductive structures (soredia and apothecium) through
permanent slides. Mycorrhizae: ectomycorrhiza and endomycorrhiza (Photographs)

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 CBCS Undergraduate Programme, 2018 : Botany Honours (Last updated: 08-04- 2019)

11. Phytopathology: Herbarium specimens of bacterial diseases; Citrus Canker; Angular leaf spot of
cotton, Viral diseases: TMV, Vein clearing, Fungal diseases: Early blight of potato, Black stem
rust of wheat and White rust of crucifers.

Suggested Readings

1. Agrios, G.N. (1997) Plant Pathology, 4th edition, Academic Press, U.K.
2. Alexopoulos, C.J., Mims, C.W., Blackwell, M. (1996). Introductory Mycology, John Wiley
th
& Sons (Asia) Singapore. 4 edition.
3. Webster, J. and Weber, R. (2007). Introduction to Fungi, Cambridge University Press,
rd
Cambridge. 3 edition.
4. Sethi, I.K. and Walia, S.K. (2011). Text book of Fungi and Their Allies, Macmillan Publishers
India Ltd.
5. Sharma, P.D. (2011). Plant Pathology, Rastogi Publication, Meerut, India.

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 CBCS Undergraduate Programme, 2018 : Botany Honours (Last updated: 08-04- 2019)

Course Code: BC204T

Core Course IV: Archegoniate
The objective of this course is to expose the students on Bryophyte, Gymnosperms and
Fossil Plants
(Credits: Theory-4, Practical-2)

THEORY
Lectures: 60

Unit 1: Introduction (4 lectures)

Unifying features of archegoniates; Transition to land habit; Alternation of generations.

Unit 2: Bryophytes (6 lectures)

General characteristics; Adaptations to land habit; Classification; Range of thallus organization.

Unit 3: Type Studies- Bryophytes (12 lectures)

Classification (up to family), morphology, anatomy and reproduction of Riccia, Marchantia,
Pellia, Porella, Anthoceros, Sphagnum ,Funaria and Polytrichum; Reproduction and
evolutionary trends in
Riccia, Marchantia, Anthoceros and Funaria (developmental stages not included). Ecological
and economic importance of bryophytes with special reference to Sphagnum.

Unit 4: Type Studies- Pteridophytes (14 lectures)

Classification (up to family), morphology, anatomy and reproduction of Psilotum, Selaginella,
Equisetum and Ophioglossium, marselia (Developmental details not to be included).Apogamy,
and apospory, heterospory andseed habit, telome theory, stelar evolution; Ecological and
economic importance.

Unit 5: Gymnosperms (18 lectures)

General characteristics, classification (up to family), morphology, anatomy and reproduction of
Cycas, Pinus , Ginkgo and Gnetum (Developmental details not to be included); Ecological and
economic importance.
Unit 6: Fossil plants (6 lectures)
Process of fossilization; Early land plants (Psilophyton and Rhynia), Cycadeoidea, Sphenophyllum

Course Code: BC204P

Core Course IV - Practical: Archegoniate
1. Riccia – Morphology of thallus.
2. Marchantia- Morphology of thallus, whole mount of rhizoids & Scales, vertical sectionof
thallus through Gemma cup, whole mount of Gemmae (all temporary slides), vertical section
of Antheridiophore, Archegoniophore, longitudinal section of Sporophyte (all permanent
slides).
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 CBCS Undergraduate Programme, 2018 : Botany Honours (Last updated: 08-04- 2019)

3. Anthoceros- Morphology of thallus, dissection of sporophyte (to show stomata,

spores,pseudoelaters, columella) (temporary slide), vertical section of thallus (permanent
slide).
4. Pellia, Porella- Permanent slides.
5. Sphagnum- Morphology of plant, whole mount of leaf (permanent slide only).
6. Funaria- Morphology, whole mount of leaf, rhizoids, operculum, peristome, annulus, spores
(temporary slides); permanent slides showing antheridial and archegonial heads, longitudinal
section of capsule and protonema.
7. Polythricum- Morphology of thallus, dissection of sporophyte
8. Psilotum- Study of specimen, transverse section of synangium (permanent slide).
9. Selaginella- Morphology, whole mount of leaf with ligule, transverse section of stem, whole
mount of strobilus, whole mount of microsporophyll and megasporophyll (temporary slides),
longitudinal section of strobilus (permanent slide).
10. Equisetum- Morphology, transverse section of internode, longitudinal section of strobilus,
transverse section of strobilus, whole mount of sporangiophore, whole mount of spores (wet and
dry) (temporary slide), transverse section of rhizome (permanent slide).
11. Cycas- Morphology (coralloid roots, bulbil, leaf), whole mount of microsporophyll,
transverse section of coralloid root, transverse section of rachis, vertical section of leaflet,
vertical section of microsporophyll, whole mount of spores (temporary slides), longitudinal
section of ovule, transverse section of root (permanent slide).
12. Pinus- Morphology (long and dwarf shoots, whole mount of dwarf shoot, male and female
cones), transverse section of Needle, transverse section of stem, longitudinal section of /
transverse section of male cone, whole mount of microsporophyll, whole mount of
Microspores
(temporary slides), longitudinal section of female cone, tangential longitudinal
section &radial longitudinal sections stem (permanent slide).
13. Ginkgo- Morphology (stem, male & female cones), transverse section of stem, vertical
section of ovule (permanent slide)
14. Gnetum- Morphology (stem, male & female cones), transverse section of stem, vertical
section of ovule (permanent slide)
15. Botanical excursion.
Suggested Readings
1. Vashistha, P.C., Sinha, A.K., Kumar, A. (2010). Pteridophyta. S. Chand. Delhi, India.
2. Bhatnagar, S.P. & Moitra, A. (1996). Gymnosperms. New Age International (P) Ltd
Publishers, New Delhi, India.
3. Parihar, N.S. (1991). An introduction to Embryophyta: Vol. I. Bryophyta. Central Book
Depot. Allahabad.
4. Raven, P.H., Johnson, G.B., Losos, J.B., Singer, S.R. (2005). Biology. Tata McGraw Hill,
Delhi.
5. Vanderpoorten, A. & Goffinet, B. (2009) Introduction to Bryophytes. Cambridge University
Press

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Semester-III
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Course Code: BC305T

Core Course V: Anatomy of Angiosperms
The objective of this course is to expose the students on the structural and anatomical
organisations of plant tissues and their development
(Credits: Theory-4, Practical-2)

THEORY
Lectures: 60

Unit 1: Introduction and scope of Plant Anatomy (4 Lectures)

Importance of plant anatomy in systematics, forensics and pharmacognosy.

Unit 2: Structure and Development of Plant Body (6 Lectures)

Internal organization of plant body: The three tissue systems, types of cells and tissues.
Development of plant body: Polarity, Cyto-differentiation and organogenesis during
embryogenic development.

Unit 2: Tissues (12 Lectures)

Classification of tissues; Simple and complex tissues (no phylogeny); cyto-differentiation of
tracheary elements and sieve elements; Pits and plasmodesmata; Wall ingrowths and transfer
cells, adcrustation and incrustation, Ergastic substances. Hydathodes, cavities, lithocysts and
laticifers.

Unit 3: Apical meristems (15 Lectures)

Evolution of concept of organization of shoot apex (Apical cell theory, Tunica Corpus theory,
continuing meristematic residue, cytohistological zonation); Structure of dicot and monocot
stem. Origin, development, arrangement and diversity in size and shape of leaves; Structure of
dicot and monocot leaf, Kranz anatomy. Organization of root apex (Histogen theory, Korper-
Kappe theory); Quiescent centre; Root cap; Structure of dicot and monocot root; Endodermis.

Unit 4: Vascular Cambium and Wood (15 Lectures)

Structure, function and seasonal activity of cambium; Secondary growth in root and stem.
Axially and radially oriented elements; Types of rays and axial parenchyma; Cyclic aspects and
reaction wood; Sapwood and heartwood; Ring and diffuse porous wood; Early and late wood,
tyloses; Dendrochronology. Development and composition of periderm, rhytidome and lenticels.

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Unit 5: Adaptive and Protective Systems (8 Lectures)

Epidermal tissue system, cuticle, epicuticular waxes, trichomes(uni-and multicellular, glandular
and nonglandular, two examples of each), stomata (classification); adcrustation and incrustation;
anatomical adaptations of xerophytes , hydrophytes and epiphytes.

Course Code: BC305P

Core Course V- Practical: Anatomy of Angiosperms

1. Study of anatomical details through permanent slides/temporary stain mounts/ macerations/

museum specimens with the help of suitable examples.
2. Apical meristem of root, shoot and vascular cambium.
3. Distribution and types of parenchyma, collenchyma and sclerenchyma.
4. Xylem: Tracheary elements-tracheids, vessel elements; thickenings; perforation plates;
xylem fibres.
5. Wood: ring porous; diffuse porous; tyloses; heart- and sapwood.
6. Phloem: Sieve tubes-sieve plates; companion cells; phloem fibres.
7. Epidermal system: cell types, stomata types; trichomes: non-glandular and glandular.
8. Root: monocot, dicot, secondary growth.
9. Stem: monocot, dicot - primary and secondary growth; periderm; lenticels.
10. Leaf: isobilateral, dorsiventral, C4 leaves (Kranz anatomy).
11. Adaptive Anatomy: xerophytes, hydrophytes, epiphytes.
12. Secretory tissues: cavities, lithocysts and laticifers.

Suggested Readings

1. Dickison, W.C. (2000). Integrative Plant Anatomy. Harcourt Academic Press, USA.
2. Fahn, A. (1974). Plant Anatomy. Pergmon Press, USA.
3. Mauseth, J.D. (1988). Plant Anatomy. The Benjammin/Cummings Publisher, USA.
4. Evert, R.F. (2006) Esau’s Plant Anatomy: Meristems, Cells, and Tissues of the Plant Body: Their
Structure, Function and Development. John Wiley and Sons, Inc.

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 CBCS Undergraduate Programme, 2018 : Botany Honours (Last updated: 08-04- 2019)

Course Code: BC306T

Core Course VI: Economic Botany
The objective of this course is to expose the students on various economically
important plants and plant products
(Credits: Theory-4, Practical-2)

THEORY
Lectures: 60

Unit 1: Origin of Cultivated Plants (6 lectures)

Concept of Centres of Origin, their importance with reference to Vavilov’s work. Indigenous
Knowledge System (IKS). Examples of major plant introductions; Crop domestication and loss of
genetic diversity; evolution of new crops/varieties, importance of germplasm diversity.

Unit 2: Cereals (6 lectures)

Wheat and Rice (origin, morphology, processing & uses); Brief account of wheat.

Unit 3: Legumes (6 lectures)

Origin, morphology and uses of Chick pea, Pigeon pea and fodder legumes. Importance to man and
ecosystem.

Unit 4: Sources of sugars and starches (4 lectures)

Morphology and processing of sugarcane, products and by-products of sugarcane industry. Potato –
morphology, propagation & uses.

Unit 5: Spices (6 lectures)

Listing of important spices, their family and part used. Economic importance with special
reference to fennel, saffron, clove, cinnamommum, cardamom and black pepper

Unit 6: Beverages (4 lectures)

Tea, Coffee (morphology, processing & uses)

Unit 7: Sources of oils and fats (8 lectures)

General description, classification, extraction, their uses and health implications groundnut, coconut,
linseed, soybean, mustard and coconut (Botanical name, family & uses). Essential Oils: General
account, extraction methods, comparison with fatty oils & their uses.

18
 CBCS Undergraduate Programme, 2018 : Botany Honours (Last updated: 08-04- 2019)

Unit 8: Natural Rubber (3 lectures)

Para-rubber: tapping, processing and uses.
Unit 9: Drug-yielding plants (8 lectures)
Therapeutic and habit-forming drugs with special reference to Cinchona, Rawolfia, Andrographis,
Aloe vera and Phyllanthus (Morphology, processing, uses and health hazards).
Unit 10: Timber plants (3 Lectures)
General account with special reference to teak, sal , pine & sisu.
Unit 11: Fibers (3 lectures)
Classification based on the origin of fibers; Cotton, Coir and Jute (morphology, extraction and uses).
Unit 12: Aromatics and Petrocrops (4 lectures)
General account with special reference to Aquilaria, Cymbopogon, Vetiveria, Pogostemon, Jatropha
and Ricinus.

Course Code: BC306P

Core Course VI - Practical: Economic Botany

1. Cereals: Wheat (habit sketch, L. S/T.S. grain, starch grains, micro-chemical tests)Rice
(habit sketch, study of paddy and grain, starch grains, micro-chemical tests).
2. Legumes: Soybean, Groundnut, (habit, fruit, seed structure, micro-chemical tests).
3. Sources of sugars and starches: Sugarcane ( habit sketch; cane juice- micro-chemical tests),
Potato(habit sketch, tuber morphology, T.S. tuber to show localization of starch grains, w.m.
starch grains, micro-chemical tests).
4. Spices: Black pepper, Fennel and Clove (habit and sections).
5. Beverages: Tea (plant specimen, tea leaves), Coffee (plant specimen, beans).
6. Sources of oils and fats: Coconut- T.S. nut, Mustard–plant specimen, seeds; tests for fats in
crushed seeds.
7. Essential oil-yielding plants: Habit sketch of Rosa, Vetiveria, Aquilaria and
Pogostemon (specimens/photographs).
8. Rubber: specimen, photograph/model of tapping, samples of rubber products.
9. Drug-yielding plants: Specimens of Digitalis, Papaver and Cannabis.
10. Tobacco: specimen and products of Tobacco.
11. Woods: Tectona, Pinus: Specimen, Section of young stem.
12. Fiber-yielding plants: Cotton (specimen, whole mount of seed to show lint and fuzz; whole
mount of fiber and test for cellulose), Jute (specimen, transverse section of stem, test for lignin
on transverse section of stem and fiber).

Suggested Readings

1. Kochhar, S.L. (2012). Economic Botany in Tropics, MacMillan & Co. New Delhi, India.
2. Wickens, G.E. (2001). Economic Botany: Principles & Practices. Kluwer Academic Publishers,
The Netherlands.
3. Chrispeels, M.J. and Sadava, D.E. 1994 Plants, Genes and Agriculture. Jones & Bartlett
Publishers.

19
 CBCS Undergraduate Programme, 2018 : Botany Honours (Last updated: 08-04- 2019)

Course Code: BC307T

Core Course VII: Genetics
The objective of this course is to impart knowledge of the principles of heredity and
different mechanisms of inheritance
(Credits: Theory-4, Practical-2)

THEORY
Lectures: 60

Unit 1: Mendelian genetics and its extension (16 lectures)

Mendelism: History; Principles of inheritance; Chromosome theory of inheritance; Autosomes
and sex chromosomes, euchromatin & herterochomatin; Probability and pedigree analysis;
Incomplete dominance and codominance; Multiple alleles, Lethal alleles, Epistasis, Pleiotropy,
Recessive and Dominant traits, Penetrance and Expressivity, Numericals; Polygenic inheritance.

Unit 2: Extrachromosomal Inheritance (6 lectures)

Chloroplast mutation: Variegation in Four o’clock plant; Mitochondrial mutations in
yeast;Maternal effects-shell coiling in snail; Infective heredity- Kappa particles in Paramecium.

Unit 3: Linkage, crossing over and chromosome mapping (12 lectures)

Linkage and crossing over-Cytological basis of crossing over; Recombination frequency, two
factor and three factor crosses; Interference and coincidence; Numericals based on gene
mapping; Sex Linked, sex-limited and sex-influence traits

Unit 4: Variation in chromosome number and structure (8 lectures)

Deletion, Duplication, Inversion, Translocation, Position effect, Euploidy and Aneuploidy,
hereditary abnormalities in human due to anuneuploidy

Unit 5: Fine structure of gene (6 lectures)

Classical vs molecular concepts of gene; Cis-Trans complementation test for functional allelism;
Structure of Phage T4, rII Locus.

Unit 6: Gene mutations (6 lectures)

Types of mutations; Molecular basis of Mutations; Mutagens – physical and chemical (Base
analogs, deaminating, alkylating and intercalating agents); Detection of mutations: ClB
method.Role of Transposons in mutation.DNA repair mechanisms.

Unit 7. Population and Evolutionary Genetics (6 lectures)

Allele frequencies, Genotype frequencies, Hardy-Weinberg Law, role of natural selection,
mutation, genetic drift. Genetic variation and Speciation.

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 CBCS Undergraduate Programme, 2018 : Botany Honours (Last updated: 08-04- 2019)

Course Code: BC307P

Core Course VII - Practical: Genetics

1. Meiosis through temporary squash preparation.

2. Mendel’s laws through seed ratios. Laboratory exercises in probability and chi-square.
3. Chromosome mapping using point test cross data.
4. Pedigree analysis for dominant and recessive autosomal and sex linked traits.
5. Incomplete dominance and gene interaction through seed ratios (9:7, 9:6:1, 13:3, 15:1, 12:3:1,
9:3:4).
6. Blood Typing: ABO groups & Rh factor.
7. Study of aneuploidy: Down’s, Klinefelter’s and Turner’s syndromes.
8. Photographs/Permanent Slides showing Translocation Ring, Laggards and Inversion Bridge.
9. Study of human genetic traits: Sickle cell anemia, Xeroderma Pigmentosum, Albinism, red-green
Colour blindness, Widow’s peak, Rolling of tongue, Hitchhiker’s thumb and Attached ear lobe.

Suggested Readings

1. Gardner, E.J., Simmons, M.J., Snustad, D.P. (1991). Principles of Genetics, John Wiley & sons,
th
India. 8 edition.
2. Snustad, D.P. and Simmons, M.J. (2010). Principles of Genetics, John Wiley & Sons Inc., India.
th
5 edition.
3. Klug, W.S., Cummings, M.R., Spencer, C.A. (2009). Concepts of Genetics. Benjamin
th
Cummings, U.S.A. 9 edition.
4. Griffiths, A.J.F., Wessler, S.R., Carroll, S.B., Doebley, J. (2010). Introduction to Genetic
th
Analysis. W. H. Freeman and Co., U.S.A. 10 edition.

21
 CBCS Undergraduate Programme, 2018 : Botany Honours (Last updated: 08-04- 2019)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Semester-IV
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Course Code: BC408T

Core Course VIII: Molecular Biology
The objective of this course is to expose the students to Biological Macromolecules
and various processes involved with these macromolecules
THEORY (Credit :4)
Lectures: 60

Unit 1: Nucleic acids : Carriers of genetic information (4 lectures)

Historical perspective; DNA as the carrier of genetic information (Griffith’s, Hershey &
Chase, Avery, McLeod & McCarty

Unit 2. The Structures of DNA and RNA / Genetic Material (10 lectures)
DNA Structure: Miescher to Watson and Crick- historic perspective, DNA structure, Salient features
of double helix, Types of DNA (DNA, RNA), Types of genetic material, denaturation and
renaturation,; Organization of DNA- Prokaryotes, Viruses, Eukaryotes.RNA Structure Organelle
DNA -- mitochondria and chloroplast DNA.

Unit 2:The replication of DNA (10 lectures)

Chemistry of DNA synthesis (Kornberg’s discovery); General principles – bidirectional, semi-
conservative and semi discontinuous replication, RNA priming; Various models of DNA replication,
including rolling circle, θ (theta) mode of replication, replication of linear ds-DNA.

Unit 3: Central dogma and genetic code (2 lectures)

Key experiments establishing-The Central Dogma (Adaptor hypothesis and discovery of mRNA
template), Genetic code; experimental proof of triplet codon (deciphering & salient features)

Unit 4: Transcription (18 lectures)

Transcription in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Principles of transcriptional regulation; Prokaryotes:
lac operon in E.coli. Eukaryotes: transcription factors, Gene silencing.

Unit 5: Processing and modification of RNA (8 lectures)

Split genes-concept of introns and exons, removal of introns, spliceosome machinery, splicing
pathways, group I and group II intron splicing, eukaryotic mRNA processing(5’ cap, 3’ polyA tail);
Ribozymes; RNA editing; mRNA transport.
Unit 6: Translation (8 lectures)
Ribosome structure and assembly, mRNA; Charging of tRNA, aminoacyl tRNA synthetases;
Various steps in protein synthesis, proteins involved in initiation, elongation and termination of
polypeptides; Fidelity of translation; Inhibitors of protein synthesis; Post-translational
modifications of proteins.

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 CBCS Undergraduate Programme, 2018 : Botany Honours (Last updated: 08-04- 2019)

Course Code: BC408P

Core Course VIII - Practical: Molecular Biology

1. Preparation of LB medium and raising E.Coli.

2. Isolation of genomic DNA
3. DNA estimation by diphenylamine reagent/UV Spectrophotometry.
4. Study of DNA replication mechanisms through photographs (Rolling circle, Theta replication
and semi-discontinuous replication).
5. Study of structures of prokaryotic RNA polymerase and eukaryotic RNA polymerase II through
photographs.
6. Photographs establishing nucleic acid as genetic material (Messelson and Stahl’s, Avery et al,
Griffith’s, Hershey & Chase’s and Fraenkel & Conrat’s experiments)
7. Study of the following through photographs: Assembly of Spliceosome machinery; Splicing
mechanism in group I & group II introns; Ribozyme and Alternative splicing.

Suggested Readings

1. Watson J.D., Baker, T.A., Bell, S.P., Gann, A., Levine, M., Losick, R. (2007). Molecular
th
Biology of the Gene, Pearson Benjamin Cummings, CSHL Press, New York, U.S.A. 6 edition.
2. Snustad, D.P. and Simmons, M.J. (2010). Principles of Genetics. John Wiley and Sons Inc.,
th
U.S.A. 5 edition.
3. Klug, W.S., Cummings, M.R., Spencer, C.A. (2009). Concepts of Genetics. Benjamin
th
Cummings. U.S.A. 9 edition.
rd
4. Russell, P. J. (2010). i-Genetics- A Molecular Approach. Benjamin Cummings, U.S.A. 3
edition.
5. Griffiths, A.J.F., Wessler, S.R., Carroll, S.B., Doebley, J. (2010). Introduction to Genetic
th
Analysis. W. H. Freeman and Co., U.S.A. 10 edition.

23
 CBCS Undergraduate Programme, 2018 : Botany Honours (Last updated: 08-04- 2019)

Course Code: BC409T

Core Course IX: Plant Ecology and Phytogeography
The objective of this course is to expose the students to interaction of plant with its
surroundings and also the geographic distribution of different plants
(Credits: Theory-4, Practical-2)

THEORY
Lectures: 60

Unit 1: Introduction (4 lectures)

Basic concepts; Levels of organization. Inter-relationships between the living world and
the environment, the components and dynamism, homeostasis.
(15 lectures)
Unit 2: Soil : Importance, Origin, Formation, Composition, Physical, Chemical and Biological
components, Soil profile, Role of climate in soil development; Water: Importance, States of water
in the environment, Atmospheric moisture, Precipitation types (rain, fog, snow, hail, dew);
Hydrological Cycle, Water in soil, Water table. Light, temperature, wind and fire Variations,
adaptations of plants to their variation.

Unit 3: Biotic interactions: (5 lectures)

Trophic organization, basic source of energy, autotrophy, heterotrophy; symbiosis,
commensalism, parasitism;
Unit 4: Population ecology: (6 lectures)
Characteristics and Dynamics .Ecological Speciation

Unit 5: Plant communities (6 lectures)

Concept of ecological amplitude; habitat and niche; Characters: analytical and synthetic; Ecotone and
edge effect; Dynamics: succession – processes, types; climax concepts.

0Unit 6: Ecosystems: Structure and Function (12 lectures)

Ecological pyramids. Principles and models of energy flow; Production and productivity;
Ecological Biogeochemical cycles; Cycling of Carbon, Nitrogen and Phosphorus.

Unit 7: Phytogeography
(12 lectures)
Principles; static and dynamic phytogeography, Continental drift; Theory of tolerance;
Endemism; Brief description of major terrestrial biomes (one each from tropical, temperate &
tundra); Phytogeographical regions of India; Local Vegetation.

24
 CBCS Undergraduate Programme, 2018 : Botany Honours (Last updated: 08-04- 2019)

Course Code: BC409P

Core Course IX - Practical: Plant Ecology and Phytogeography

1. Study of instruments used to measure microclimatic variables: Soil thermometer, maximum and
minimum thermometer, anemometer, psychrometer/hygrometer, rain gauge and lux meter.
2. Determination of pH of various soil and water samples (pH meter, universal indicator/Lovibond
comparator and pH paper)
3. Analysis for carbonates, chlorides, nitrates, sulphates, organic matter and base deficiency from
two soil samples by rapid field tests.
4. Determination of organic matter of different soil samples by Walkley & Black rapid titration
method.
5. Comparison of bulk density, porosity and rate of infiltration of water in soils of three habitats.
6. Determination of dissolved oxygen of water samples from polluted and unpolluted sources.
7. (a). Study of morphological adaptations of hydrophytes and xerophytes (four each).
(b). Study of biotic interactions of the following: Stem parasite (Cuscuta), Root parasite
(Orobanche) Epiphytes, Predation (Insectivorous plants).
8. Determination of minimal quadrat size for the study of herbaceous vegetation in the college
campus, by species area curve method (species to be listed).
9. Quantitative analysis of herbaceous vegetation in the college campus for frequency and
comparison with Raunkiaer’s frequency distribution law.
10. Quantitative analysis of herbaceous vegetation for density and abundance in the college campus.
11. Field visit to familiarise students with ecology of different sites.

Suggested Readings

th
1. Odum, E.P. (2005). Fundamentals of ecology. Cengage Learning India Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi. 5
edition.
2. Singh, J.S., Singh, S.P., Gupta, S. (2006). Ecology Environment and Resource Conservation.
Anamaya Publications, New Delhi, India.
th
3. Sharma, P.D. (2010). Ecology and Environment. Rastogi Publications, Meerut, India. 8 edition.
4. Wilkinson, D.M. (2007). Fundamental Processes in Ecology: An Earth Systems Approach.
Oxford University Press. U.S.A.
th
5. Kormondy, E.J. (1996). Concepts of ecology. PHI Learning Pvt. Ltd., Delhi, India. 4 edition.

25
 CBCS Undergraduate Programme, 2018 : Botany Honours (Last updated: 08-04- 2019)

Course Code: BC410T

Core Course X: Plant Systematics
The objective of this course is to expose the students to identification, classification
and nomenclature of higher plants
(Credits: Theory-4, Practical-2)

THEORY
Lectures: 60
Unit 1: Significance of Plant systematics (8 lectures)
Introduction to systematics; Kingdom concept, Plant identification, Classification,
Nomenclature. Evidences from palynology, cytology, phytochemistry and molecular data. Field
inventory; Functions of Herbarium; Important herbaria and botanical gardens of the world and
India; Virtual herbarium; E-flora; Documentation: Flora, Monographs, Journals; Keys:Single
access and Multi-access.

Unit 2: Taxonomic hierarchy (6 lectures)

Concept of taxa (family, genus, species); Categories and taxonomic hierarchy; Species concept
(taxonomic, biological, evolutionary).

Unit 3: Morphology and Botanical nomenclature (10 lectures)

Angiosperm morphology, Principles and rules (ICN= International Code of Nomenclature of
Algae, fungi & Plants); Ranks and names; Typification, author citation, valid publication,
rejection of names, principle of priority and its limitations; Names of hybrids.

Unit 4: Systems of classification (10 lectures)

History of Plant Taxonomy: Linnaeus, Adanson, de Candolle, Bessey, Hutchinson, Takhtajan
and Cronquist; Classification systems of Bentham and Hooker (upto series) and Engler and
Prantl (upto series); Brief reference of Angiosperm Phylogeny Group classification.

Unit 5: Biometrics, numerical taxonomy and cladistics (6 lectures)

Characters; Variations; OTUs, character weighting and coding; Cluster analysis; Phenograms,
cladograms (definitions and differences).

Unit 6: Phylogeny of Angiosperms (10 lectures)

Terms and concepts (primitive and advanced, homology and analogy, parallelism and
convergence, monophyly, Paraphyly, polyphyly and clades). Origin and evolution of life
(mechanism and therories), Origin and evolution of angiosperms; Co-evolution of angiosperms
and animals; Methods of illustrating evolutionary relationship (phylogenetic tree, cladogram).

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 CBCS Undergraduate Programme, 2018 : Botany Honours (Last updated: 08-04- 2019)

Unit 7: Major families of Angiosperms (10 lectures)

Study of morphological characters of some major families of Angiosperms: Magnoliaceae,
Brassicaceae, Malvaceae, Fabaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Apiaceae, Asteraceae, Lamiaceae,
Euphorbiaceae, Orchidaceae, Zingiberaceae, Arecaceae, Poaceae

Course Code: BC410P

Core Course X - Practical: Plant Systematics
Practical

1. Study of vegetative and floral characters of the following families (Description, V.S. flower,
section of ovary, floral diagram/s, floral formula/e and systematic position according to
Bentham & Hooker’s system of classification):
Locally available plants of the following families-
Magnoliaceae, Brassicaceae, Apiaceae, Asteraceae, Solanaceae, Lamiaceae,
Euphorbiaceae, Zingiberaceae, Orchidaceae, Poaceae

2. Field visit (local) – Subject to grant of funds from the university.

3. Mounting of a properly dried and pressed specimen of any wild plant with herbarium label
(to be submitted in the record book).

Suggested Readings

1. Singh, (2012). Plant Systematics: Theory and Practice Oxford & IBH Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi.
rd
3 edition.
2. Jeffrey, C. (1982). An Introduction to Plant Taxonomy. Cambridge University Press,
Cambridge.
3. Judd, W.S., Campbell, C.S., Kellogg, E.A., Stevens, P.F. (2002). Plant Systematics-A
nd
Phylogenetic Approach. Sinauer Associates Inc., U.S.A. 2 edition.
4. Maheshwari, J.K. (1963). Flora of Delhi. CSIR, New Delhi.

5. Radford, A.E. (1986). Fundamentals of Plant Systematics. Harper and Row, New York.

27
 CBCS Undergraduate Programme, 2018 : Botany Honours (Last updated: 08-04- 2019)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Semester-V
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Course Code: BC511T

Core Course XI: Reproductive Biology of Angiosperms
The objective of this course is to expose the students to the process and mechanisms
of plant reproduction
(Credits: Theory-4, Practical-2)

THEORY
Lectures: 60

Unit 1: Introduction (4 lectures)

History (contributions of G.B. Amici, W. Hofmeister, E. Strasburger, S.G. Nawaschin, P.
Maheshwari, B.M. Johri, W.A. Jensen, J. Heslop-Harrison) and scope.

Unit 2: Reproductive development (6 lectures)

Induction of flowering; flower as a modified determinate shoot.

Unit 3: Anther and pollen biology (10 lectures)

Anther wall: structure and functions, microsporogenesis, callose deposition and its significance.
Microgametogenesis; pollen wall structure, MGU (male germ unit) structure, NPC system;
palynology and scope (a brief account); pollen wall proteins; pollen viability, storage and
germination.

Unit 4: Ovule (10 lectures)

Structure; types; special structures–endothelium, obturator, aril, caruncle and hypostase; female
gametophyte– megasporogenesis (monosporic, bisporic and tetrasporic) and megagametogenesis
(details of Polygonum type).

Unit 4: Pollination and fertilization (6 lectures)

Pollination types and significance; adaptations; structure of stigma and style; path of pollen tube
in pistil; double fertilization.

Unit 5: Self incompatibility (10 lectures)

Basic concepts (interspecific, intraspecific, homomorphic, heteromorphic, GSI and SSI);
Methods to overcome self- incompatibility: mixed pollination, bud pollination, stub pollination.

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 CBCS Undergraduate Programme, 2018 : Botany Honours (Last updated: 08-04- 2019)

Unit 6: Embryo, Endosperm and Seed (10 lectures)

Structure and types; general pattern of development of dicot and monocot embryo and
endosperm; suspensor: structure and functions; embryo-endosperm relationship; nutrition of
embryo; unusual features; embryo development in Paeonia. seed structure, importance and
dispersal mechanisms

Units 7: Polyembryony, apomixes and parthenocarpy (6 lectures)

Introduction; classification; causes and applications.

29
 CBCS Undergraduate Programme, 2018 : Botany Honours (Last updated: 08-04- 2019)

Course Code: BC511P

Core Course XI - Practical: Reproductive Biology of Angiosperms
1. Anther: Wall and its ontogeny; Tapetum (amoeboid and glandular); MMC, spore tetrads,
uninucleate, bicelled and dehisced anther stages through slides/micrographs, male germ unit
(MGU) through photographs and schematic representation.
3. Pollen grains: Fresh and acetolyzed showing ornamentation and aperture, psuedomonads,
polyads, pollinia (slides/photographs,fresh material), ultrastructure of pollen
wall(micrograph); Pollen viability: Tetrazolium test.germination: Calculation of percentage
germination in different media using hanging drop method.
4. Ovule: Types-anatropous, orthotropous, amphitropous/campylotropous, circinotropous,
unitegmic, bitegmic; Tenuinucellate and crassinucellate; Special structures: Endothelium,
obturator, hypostase, caruncle and aril (permanent slides/specimens/photographs).
5. Female gametophyte through permanent slides/ photographs: Types, ultrastructure of mature
egg apparatus.
6. Intra-ovarian pollination; Test tube pollination through photographs.
7. Endosperm: Dissections of developing seeds for endosperm with free-nuclear haustoria.
8. Embryogenesis: Study of development of dicot embryo through permanent slides; dissection
of developing seeds for embryos at various developmental stages; Study of suspensor through
electron micrographs.
Suggested Readings

1. Bhojwani, S.S. and Bhatnagar, S.P. (2011). The Embryology of Angiosperms, Vikas
th
Publishing House. Delhi. 5 edition.
2. Shivanna, K.R. (2003). Pollen Biology and Biotechnology. Oxford and IBH Publishing Co.
Pvt. Ltd. Delhi.

3. Raghavan, V. (2000). Developmental Biology of Flowering plants, Springer, Netherlands.

4. Johri, B.M. l (1984). Embryology of Angiosperms, Springer-Verlag, Netherlands.

30
 CBCS Undergraduate Programme, 2018 : Botany Honours (Last updated: 08-04- 2019)

Course Code: BC512T

Core Course XII: Plant Physiology
The objective of this course is to expose the students to different physiological
processes in plant life
(Credits: Theory-4, Practical-2)

THEORY
Lectures: 60

Unit 1: Plant-water relations (10 lectures)

Water Potential and its components, water absorption by roots, aquaporins, pathway of water
movement, symplast, apoplast, transmembrane pathways, root pressure, guttation. Ascent of
sap– cohesion-tension theory.Transpiration and factors affecting transpiration,
antitranspirants, mechanism of stomatal movement.

Unit 2: Mineral nutrition (8 lectures)

Essential and beneficial elements, macro and micronutrients, methods of study and use of
nutrient solutions, criteria for essentiality, mineral deficiency symptoms, roles of essential
elements, siderophor

Unit 3: Nutrient Uptake (8 lectures)

Soil as a nutrient reservoir, transport of ions across cell membrane, passive absorption,
electrochemical gradient, facilitated diffusion, active absorption, role of ATP, carrier
systems,proton ATPase pump and ion flux, uniport, co-transport, symport, antiport.

Unit 4: Translocation in the phloem (8 lectures)

Experimental evidence in support of phloem as the site of sugar translocation. Pressure–Flow
Model; Phloem loading and unloading; Source–sink relationship.

Unit 5: Plant growth regulators (14

lectures)
Discovery, chemical nature (basic structure), bioassay and physiological roles of Auxin,
Gibberellins, Cytokinin, Abscisic acid, Ethylene, Concept of plant movement: tropicand
nastic
Unit 6: Physiology of flowering (6 lectures) Photoperiodism, flowering stimulus, florigen
concept, vernalization, seed dormancy.

Unit 7: Phytochrome , crytochromes and phototropins (6 lectures)

Discovery, chemical nature, role in photomorphogenesis, low energy responses (LER) and
high irradiance responses (HIR), mode of action.

31
 CBCS Undergraduate Programme, 2018 : Botany Honours (Last updated: 08-04- 2019)

Course Code: BC512P

Core Course XII – Practical: Plant Physiology

1. Determination of osmotic potential of plant cell sap by plasmolytic method.

2. Determination of water potential of given tissue (potato tuber) by weight method.

3. Study of the effect of wind velocity and light on the rate of transpiration in excised twig/leaf.
4. Calculation of stomatal index and stomatal frequency from the two surfaces of leaves of a
mesophyte and xerophyte.
5. To calculate the area of an open stoma and percentage of leaf area open through stomata in a
mesophyte and xerophyte (both surfaces).
6. To study the phenomenon of seed germination (effect of light).
7. To study the effect of different concentrations of IAA on Avena coleoptile elongation (IAA
Bioassay).
8. To study the induction of amylase activity in germinating barley grains.

Demonstration experiments

1. To demonstrate suction due to transpiration.

2. Fruit ripening/Rooting from cuttings (Demonstration).
3. Bolting experiment/Avena coleptile bioassay (demonstration).

Suggested Readings

1. Hopkins, W.G. and Huner, A. (2008). Introduction to Plant Physiology. John Wiley and
th
Sons. U.S.A. 4 edition.
2. Taiz, L., Zeiger, E., MØller, I.M. and Murphy, A (2015). Plant Physiology and Development.
th
Sinauer Associates Inc. USA. 6 edition.
3. Bajracharya D. (1999). Experiments in Plant Physiology-A Laboratory Manual. Narosa
Publishing House, New Delhi.

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 CBCS Undergraduate Programme, 2018 : Botany Honours (Last updated: 08-04- 2019)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Semester-VI
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Course Code: BC613T

Core Course XIII: Plant Metabolism
The objective of this course is to expose the students to various metabolic processes
involved with plant life
(Credits: Theory-4, Practical-2)

THEORY
Lectures: 60

Unit 1: Concept of metabolism (6 lectures)

Introduction, anabolic and catabolic pathways, regulation of metabolism, role of regulatory
enzymes (allosteric ,covalent modulation and Isozymes).

Unit 2: Carbon assimilation (14 lectures)

Historical background, photosynthetic pigments, role of photosynthetic pigments (chlorophylls
and accessory pigments), antenna molecules and reaction centres, photochemical reactions,
photosynthetic electron transport, PSI, PSII, Q cycle, CO2 reduction, photorespiration,
C4pathways; Crassulacean acid metabolism; Factors affecting CO2 reduction.

Unit 3: Carbohydrate metabolism (2 lectures)

Synthesis and catabolism of sucrose and starch.

Unit 4: Carbon Oxidation (10 lectures)

Glycolysis, fate of pyruvate, regulation of glycolysis, oxidative pentose phosphate pathway,
oxidative decarboxylation of pyruvate, regulation of PDH, NADH shuttle; TCA
cycle,amphibolic role, anaplerotic reactions, regulation of the cycle, mitochondrial electron
transport, oxidative phosphorylation, cyanide-resistant respiration, factors affecting respiration.

Unit 5: ATP-Synthesis (8 lectures)

Mechanism of ATP synthesis, substrate level phosphorylation, chemiosmotic mechanism
(oxidative and photophosphorylation), ATP synthase, Boyers conformational model, Racker’s
experiment, Jagendorf’s experiment; role of uncouplers.

Unit 6: Lipid metabolism (8 lectures)

Synthesis and breakdown of triglycerides, β-oxidation, glyoxylate cycle, gluconeogenesis and its
role in mobilisation of lipids during seed germination, α oxidation.

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 CBCS Undergraduate Programme, 2018 : Botany Honours (Last updated: 08-04- 2019)

Unit 7: Nitrogen metabolism

(8 lectures)
Nitrate assimilation, biological nitrogen fixation (examples of legumes and non-legumes);
Physiology and biochemistry of nitrogen fixation; Ammonia assimilation and transamination.

Unit 8: Mechanisms of signal transduction (4 lectures)

Receptor-ligand interactions; Second messenger concept, Calcium calmodulin, MAP
kinase cascade.

Course Code: BC613P

Core Course XIII - Practical: Plant Metabolism

1. Chemical separation of photosynthetic pigments.

2. Experimental demonstration of Hill’s reaction.
3. To study the effect of light intensity on the rate of photosynthesis.
4. Effect of carbon dioxide on the rate of photosynthesis.
5. To compare the rate of respiration in different parts of a plant.
6. To demonstrate activity of Nitrate reductase in germinating leaves of different plant sources.
7. To study the activity of lipases in germinating oilseeds and demonstrate mobilization of lipids
during germination.
8. Demonstration of fluorescence by isolated chlorophyll pigments.
9. Demonstration of absorption spectrum of photosynthetic pigments.

Suggested Readings

1. Hopkins, W.G. and Huner, A. (2008). Introduction to Plant Physiology. John Wiley and Sons.
th
U.S.A. 4 edition.
2. Taiz, L., Zeiger, E., MØller, I.M. and Murphy, A (2015). Plant Physiology and Development.
th
Sinauer Associates Inc. USA. 6 edition.
3. Harborne, J.B. (1973). Phytochemical Methods. John Wiley & Sons. New York.

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 CBCS Undergraduate Programme, 2018 : Botany Honours (Last updated: 08-04- 2019)

Course Code: BC614T

Core Course XIV: Plant Biotechnology
The objective of this course is to expose the students to application of modern tools
and techniques in Biology
(Credits: Theory-4, Practical-2)

THEORY
Lectures: 60
Unit 1: Plant Tissue Culture (16
lectures)
Historical perspective; Composition of media; Nutrient and hormone requirements (role of
vitamins and hormones); Totipotency; Organogenesis; Embryogenesis (somatic and zygotic);
Protoplast isolation, culture and fusion; Tissue culture applications (micropropagation,
androgenesis, virus elimination, secondary metabolite production, haploids, triploids and
hybrids; Cryopreservation; Germplasm Conservation).

Unit 2: Recombinant DNA technology (12

lectures)
Restriction Endonucleases (History, Types I-IV, biological role and application); Restriction
Mapping (Linear and Circular); Cloning Vectors: Prokaryotic (pUC 18 and pUC19, pBR322,
Ti plasmid, BAC); Lambda phage, M13 phagemid, Cosmid, Shuttle vector; Eukaryotic
Vectors (YAC).

Unit 3: Gene Cloning (10

lectures)
Recombinant DNA, Bacterial Transformation and selection of recombinant clones, PCR-
mediated gene cloning; Gene Construct; construction of genomic and cDNA libraries,
screening DNA libraries to obtain gene of interest by genetic selection; complementation,
colony hybridization.

Unit 4: Methods of gene transfer (8 lectures)

Agrobacterium-mediated, Direct gene transfer by Electroporation, Microinjection,
Microprojectile bombardment; Selection of transgenics– selectable marker and reporter
genes (Luciferase, GUS, GFP).

Unit 5: Applications of Biotechnology (14

lectures)
Pest resistant (Bt-cotton); herbicide resistant plants (RoundUp Ready soybean); Transgenic
crops with improved quality traits (Flavr Savr tomato, Golden rice); Improved horticultural
varieties (Moondust carnations); Role of transgenics in bioremediation (Superbug); edible
vaccines; Industrial enzymes (Aspergillase, Protease, Lipase); Gentically Engineered
Products–Human Growth Hormone; Humulin; Biosafety concerns.

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 CBCS Undergraduate Programme, 2018 : Botany Honours (Last updated: 08-04- 2019)

Course Code: BC614P

Core Course XIV - Practical: Plant Biotechnology

1. (a) Preparation of MS medium.

(b) Demonstration of in vitro sterilization and inoculation methods using leaf and nodal explants
of tobacco, Datura, Brassica etc.
2. Study of anther, embryo and endosperm culture, micropropagation, somatic embryogenesis
& artificial seeds through photographs.
3. Isolation of protoplasts.
4. Construction of restriction map of circular and linear DNA from the data provided.
5. Study of methods of gene transfer through photographs: Agrobacterium-mediated, direct
gene transfer by electroporation, microinjection, microprojectile bombardment.
6. Study of steps of genetic engineering for production of Bt cotton, Golden rice, Flavr Savr
tomato through photographs.
7. Isolation of plasmid DNA.
8. Restriction digestion and gel electrophoresis of plasmid DNA.

Suggested Readings

1. Bhojwani, S.S. and Razdan, M.K., (1996). Plant Tissue Culture: Theory and Practice.
Elsevier Science Amsterdam. The Netherlands.
2. Glick, B.R., Pasternak, J.J. (2003). Molecular Biotechnology- Principles and Applications of
recombinant DNA. ASM Press, Washington.
3. Bhojwani, S.S. and Bhatnagar, S.P. (2011). The Embryology of Angiosperms. Vikas
th
Publication House Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi. 5 edition.
4. Snustad, D.P. and Simmons, M.J. (2010). Principles of Genetics. John Wiley and Sons,
th
U.K. 5 edition.
5. Stewart, C.N. Jr. (2008). Plant Biotechnology & Genetics: Principles, Techniques and
Applications. John Wiley & Sons Inc. U.S.A.

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 CBCS Undergraduate Programme, 2018 : Botany Honours (Last updated: 08-04- 2019)

Discipline Specific Elective Courses

(DSE)

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 CBCS Undergraduate Programme, 2018 : Botany Honours (Last updated: 08-04- 2019)

Course Code: BD501T

DSE Course – I: Analytical Techniques in Plant Sciences
The objective of this course is to expose the students to different techniques which can
be used to study different Biological processes

(Credits: Theory-4, Practical-2)

THEORY
Lectures: 60

Unit 1: Imaging and related techniques

(15
lectures)
Principles of microscopy; Light microscopy; Fluorescence microscopy; Confocal
microscopy; Use of fluorochromes: (a) Flow cytometry (FACS); (b) Applications of
fluorescence microscopy: Chromosome banding, FISH, chromosome painting; Transmission
and Scanning electron microscopy – sample preparation for electron microscopy,
cryofixation, negative staining, shadow casting, freeze fracture, freeze etching.

Unit 2: Cell fractionation (8 lectures)

Centrifugation: Differential and density gradient centrifugation, sucrose density gradient,
CsCl2gradient, analytical centrifugation, ultracentrifugation, marker enzymes.

Unit 3: Radioisotopes (4 lectures)

Use in biological research, auto-radiography, pulse chase experiment.

Unit 4: Spectrophotometry (4 lectures)

Principle and its application in biological research.

Unit 5: Chromatography (8 lectures)

Principle; Paper chromatography; Column chromatography, TLC, GLC, HPLC, Ion-

exchange chromatography; Molecular sieve chromatography; Affinity chromatography.

Unit 6: Characterization of proteins and nucleic acids (6 lectures)

Mass spectrometry; X-ray diffraction; X-ray crystallography; Characterization of proteins
and nucleic acids; Electrophoresis: AGE, PAGE, SDS-PAGE

Unit 7:Biostatistics (15

lectures)
Statistics, data, population, samples, parameters; Representation of Data: Tabular, Graphical;
Measures of central tendency: Arithmetic mean, mode, median; Measures of dispersion:

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 CBCS Undergraduate Programme, 2018 : Botany Honours (Last updated: 08-04- 2019)

Range, mean deviation, variation, standard deviation; Chi-square test for goodness of fit.

Course Code: BD501P

DSE Course – I - Practical: Analytical Techniques in Plant Sciences

Practical

1. Study of Blotting techniques: Southern, Northern and Western, DNA fingerprinting,

DNA sequencing, PCR through photographs.
2. Demonstration of ELISA.
3. To separate nitrogenous bases by paper chromatography.
4. To separate sugars by thin layer chromatography.
5. Isolation of chloroplasts by differential centrifugation.
6. To separate chloroplast pigments by column chromatography.
7. To estimate protein concentration through Lowry’s methods.
8. To separate proteins using PAGE.
9. To separation DNA (marker) using AGE.
10. Study of different microscopic techniques using photographs/micrographs (freeze
fracture, freeze etching, negative staining, positive staining, fluorescence and FISH).
11. Preparation of permanent slides (double staining).

Suggested Readings

1. Plummer, D.T. (1996). An Introduction to Practical Biochemistry. Tata McGraw-Hill

rd
Publishing Co. Ltd. New Delhi. 3 edition.
2. Ruzin, S.E. (1999). Plant Microtechnique and Microscopy, Oxford University
Press, New York. U.S.A.
3. Ausubel, F., Brent, R., Kingston, R. E., Moore, D.D., Seidman, J.G., Smith, J.A., Struhl,
rd
K. (1995). Short Protocols in Molecular Biology. John Wiley & Sons. 3 edition.
th
4. Zar, J.H. (2012). Biostatistical Analysis. Pearson Publication. U.S.A. 4 edition.

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 CBCS Undergraduate Programme, 2018 : Botany Honours (Last updated: 08-04- 2019)

Course Code: BD502T

DSE Course – II: Bioinformatics
The objective of this course is to expose the students to the application of computation
tools in solving Biological problems

(Credits: Theory-4, Practical-2)

THEORY
Lectures: 60
Unit 1. Introduction to Bioinformatics (5 Lectures)

Introduction, Branches of Bioinformatics, Aim, Scope and Research areas of Bioinformatics.

Unit 2. Databases in Bioinformatics (5 Lectures)

Introduction to Biological Databases, Classification format of Biological Databases, Biological

Database Retrieval System.

Unit 3. Biological Sequence Databases (25 Lectures)

National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI): Tools and Databases of NCBI, Database
Retrieval Tool, Sequence Submission to NCBI, Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST),
Nucleotide Database, Protein Database, Gene Expression Database.

EMBL Nucleotide Sequence Database (ENA): Introduction, Sequence Retrieval, Sequence

Submission to EMBL, Sequence analysis tools.

DNA Data Bank of Japan (DDBJ): Introduction, Resources at DDBJ, Data Submission at DDBJ.

Protein Information Resource (PIR): About PIR, Resources of PIR, Databases of PIR, Data
Retrieval in PIR.

Swiss-Prot: Introduction and Salient Features.

Unit 4. Sequence Alignments (10 Lectures)

Introduction, Concept of Alignment, Pairwise sequence alignment (PSA), Multiple Sequence

Alignment (MSA), MSA by CLUSTALW, Scoring Matrices, Percent Accepted Mutation
(PAM), Blocks of Amino Acid Substitution Matrix (BLOSUM).Dynamic Programming
Algorithms.

Unit 5. Molecular Phylogeny (8 Lectures)

Methods of Phylogeny, Software for Phylogenetic Analyses, Consistency of Molecular

Phylogenetic Prediction.

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 CBCS Undergraduate Programme, 2018 : Botany Honours (Last updated: 08-04- 2019)

Unit 6. Applications of Bioinformatics (7 Lectures)

Structural Bioinformatics in Drug Discovery, Quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR)

techniques in Drug Design, Microbial genome applications, Crop improvement

Course Code: BD502P

DSE Course – II - Practical: Bioinformatics

1. Nucleic acid and protein databases.

2. Sequence retrieval from databases.

3. Sequence alignment.

4. Similarity searches using BLAST/FASTA

5. Construction of phylogenetic tree.

Suggested Readings

1. Ghosh Z. and Bibekanand M. (2008) Bioinformatics: Principles and Applications. Oxford

University Press.

2. Pevsner J. (2009) Bioinformatics and Functional Genomics. II Edition. Wiley-Blackwell.

3. Campbell A. M., Heyer L. J. (2006) Discovering Genomics, Proteomics and

Bioinformatics. II Edition. Benjamin Cummings.

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 CBCS Undergraduate Programme, 2018 : Botany Honours (Last updated: 08-04- 2019)

Course Code: BD503T

DSE Course – II: Research Methodology
The objective of this course is to expose the students to methods of carrying out and
reporting research in different fields

Credit: Theory 4; Practical 2

Lectures: 60

Theory

Unit 1: Basic concepts of research (10 lectures)

Research-definition and types of research (Descriptive vs analytical; applied vs fundamental;
quantitative vs qualitative; conceptual vs emperical).Research methods vs
methodology.Literature-review and its consolidation; Library research; field research; laboratory
research.

Unit 2: General laboratory practices (12 lectures)

Common calculations in botany laboratories. Understanding the details on the label of reagent
bottles. Molarity and normality of common acids and bases.Preparation of solutions. Dilutions.
Percentage solutions. Molar, molal and normal solutions.Technique of handling micropipettes;
Knowledge about common toxic chemicals and safety measures in their handling.

Unit 3: Data collection and documentation of observations (6 lectures)

Maintaining a laboratory record; Tabulation and generation of graphs. Imaging of
tissuespecimens and application of scale bars. The art of field photography.

Unit 4: Overview of Biological Problems (6 lectures)

History; Key biology research areas, Model organisms in biology (A Brief overview): Genetics,
Physiology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Genomics, Proteomics-
Transcriptional regulatory network.

Unit 5: Methods to study plant cell/tissue structure (6 lectures)

Whole mounts, peel mounts, squash preparations, clearing, maceration and sectioning; Tissue
preparation: living vs fixed, physical vs chemical fixation, coagulating fixatives, non-coagulant
fixatives; tissue dehydration using graded solvent series; Paraffin and plastic infiltration;
Preparation of thin and ultrathin sections.

Unit 6: Plant microtechniques (12 lectures)

Staining procedures, classification and chemistry of stains. Staining equipment. Reactive dyes

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 CBCS Undergraduate Programme, 2018 : Botany Honours (Last updated: 08-04- 2019)

and fluorochromes (including genetically engineered protein labeling with GFP and other tags).
Cytogenetic techniques with squashed plant materials.

Unit 7: The art of scientific writing and its presentation (8 lectures)

Numbers, units, abbreviations and nomenclature used in scientific writing. Writing references.
Powerpoint presentation. Poster presentation. Scientific writing and ethics, Introduction to
copyright-academic misconduct/plagiarism.

Course Code: BD503P

DSE Course – III - Practical: Research Methodology

1. Experiments based on chemical calculations.

2. Plant microtechnique experiments.
3. The art of imaging of samples through microphotography and field photography.
4. Poster presentation on defined topics.
5. Technical writing on topics assigned.

Suggested Readings

1. Dawson, C. (2002). Practical research methods. UBS Publishers, New Delhi.

2. Stapleton, P., Yondeowei, A., Mukanyange, J., Houten, H. (1995). Scientific writing for
agricultural research scientists – a training reference manual. West Africa Rice
Development Association, Hong Kong.
3. Ruzin, S.E. (1999). Plant microtechnique and microscopy. Oxford University Press, New
York, U.S.A.

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 CBCS Undergraduate Programme, 2018 : Botany Honours (Last updated: 08-04- 2019)

Course Code: BD504T

DSE Course – IV: Industrial and Environmental Microbiology
The objective of this course is to expose the students to application of different
microbes for industrial purposes and also their role in the environment

(Credits: Theory-4, Practical-2)

THEORY
Lectures: 60

Unit 1: Scope of microbes in industry and environment (6 lectures)

Unit 2: Bioreactors/Fermenters and fermentation processes (12 lectures)

Solid-state and liquid-state (stationary and submerged) fermentations; Batch and continuous
fermentations. Components of a typical bioreactor, Types of bioreactors-laboratory, pilotscale
and production fermenters; Constantly stirred tank fermenter, tower fermenter, fixed bed and
fluidized bed bioreactors and air-lift fermenter.
A visit to any educational institute/ industry to see an industrial fermenter, and other downstream
processing operations.

Unit 3: Microbial production of industrial products (12 lectures)

Microorganisms involved, media, fermentation conditions, downstream processing and uses;
Filtration, centrifugation, cell disruption, solvent extraction, precipitation and ultrafiltration,
lyophilization, spray drying; Hands on microbial fermentations for the production and estimation
(qualitative and quantitative) of Enzyme: amylase or lipase activity, Organic acid (citric acid or
glutamic acid), alcohol (Ethanol) and antibiotic (Penicillin)

Unit 4: Microbial enzymes of industrial interest and enzyme immobilization (8 lectures)

Microorganisms for industrial applications and hands on screening microorganisms for casein
hydrolysis; starch hydrolysis; cellulose hydrolysis. Methods of immobilization, advantages and
applications of immobilization, large scale applications of immobilized enzymes (glucose
isomerase and penicillin acylase).

Unit 5: Microbes and quality of environment.(6 lectures)

Distribution of microbes in air; Isolation of microorganisms from soil, air and water.

Unit 6: Microbial flora of water. (8 lectures)

Water pollution, role of microbes in sewage and domestic waste water treatment systems.
Determination of BOD, COD, TDS and TOC of water samples; Microorganisms as indicators of
water quality, check coliform and fecal coliform in water samples.

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 CBCS Undergraduate Programme, 2018 : Botany Honours (Last updated: 08-04- 2019)

Unit 7: Microbes in agriculture and remediation of contaminated soils. (8 lectures)

Biological fixation; Mycorrhizae; Bioremediation of contaminated soils. Isolation of root
nodulating bacteria, arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization in plant roots.

Course Code: BD504P

DSE Course – IV- Practical: Industrial and Environmental Microbiology

1.Principles and functioning of instruments in microbiology laboratory

2.Hands on sterilization techniques and preparation of culture media.

Suggested Readings

1. Pelzar, M.J. Jr., Chen E.C. S., Krieg, N.R. (2010). Microbiology: An application based
approach. Tata McGraw Hill Education Pvt. Ltd., Delhi.
2. Tortora, G.J., Funke, B.R., Case. C.L. (2007). Microbiology. Pearson Benjamin
Cummings, San Francisco, U.S.A. 9th edition.

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 CBCS Undergraduate Programme, 2018 : Botany Honours (Last updated: 08-04- 2019)

Course Code: BD605T

DSE Course – V: Plant Breeding
The objective of this course is to expose the students to different methods of plant
improvement and breeding techniques

(Credits: Theory-4, Practical-2)

THEORY
Lectures: 60

Unit 1: Plant Breeding (10 lectures)

Introduction and objectives. Breeding systems: modes of reproduction in crop plants. Important
achievements and undesirable consequences of plant breeding.

Unit 2: Methods of crop improvement (20 lectures)

Introduction: Centres of origin and domestication of crop plants, plant genetic resources;
Acclimatization; Selection methods: For self pollinated, cross pollinated and vegetatively
propagated plants; Hybridization: For self, cross and vegetatively propagated plants – Procedure,
advantages and limitations.

Unit 3: Quantitative inheritance (10 lectures)

Concept, mechanism, examples of inheritance of Kernel colour in wheat, Skin colour in human
beings.Monogenic vs polygenic Inheritance.

Unit 4: Inbreeding depression and heterosis (10 lectures)

History, genetic basis of inbreeding depression and heterosis; Applications.

Unit 5: Crop improvement and breeding (10 lectures)

Role of mutations; Polyploidy; Distant hybridization and role of biotechnology in crop
improvement.

Course Code: BD605P

DSE Course – V - Practical: Plant Breeding

1) Hybridization technique - Selection and preparation of parents,

floral biology study, emasculation, bagging, pollination.
2) Study of pollen morphology and viability
3) Study of purity of seeds from commercial seed samples
4) Breeding importance of some common crop plants

Suggested Readings
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 CBCS Undergraduate Programme, 2018 : Botany Honours (Last updated: 08-04- 2019)

th
1. Singh, B.D. (2005). Plant Breeding: Principles and Methods. Kalyani Publishers. 7
edition.
2. Chaudhari, H.K. (1984). Elementary Principles of Plant Breeding. Oxford – IBH.
nd
2 edition.
3. Acquaah, G. (2007). Principles of Plant Genetics & Breeding. Blackwell Publishing.

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 CBCS Undergraduate Programme, 2018 : Botany Honours (Last updated: 08-04- 2019)

Course Code: BD606T

DSE Course – VI: Natural Resource Management
The objective of this course is to expose the students to different natural resources
and their management practices

THEORY
Lectures: 60

Unit 1: Natural resources (2 lectures)

Definition and types.

Unit 2: Sustainable utilization (8 lectures)

Concept, approaches (economic, ecological and socio-cultural).

Unit 3: Land (8 lectures)

Utilization (agricultural, pastoral, horticultural, silvicultural); Soil degradation and management.

Unit 4: Water (8 lectures)

Fresh water (rivers, lakes, groundwater, aquifers, watershed); Marine; Estuarine; Wetlands;
Threats and management strategies.

Unit 5: Biological Resources (12 lectures)

Biodiversity-definition and types; Significance; Threats; Management strategies; Biodiversity
Hot Spot (Terrestrial & Marine), IUCN Species categories, In situ & Ex situ conservation, Bio-
prospecting; IPR; CBD; National Biodiversity Action Plan). Biodiversity and Sustainable
development

Unit 6: Forests (6 lectures)

Definition, Cover and its significance (with special reference to India); Major and
minor forestproducts; Depletion; Management.

Unit 7: Energy (6 lectures)

Renewable and non-renewable sources of energy

Unit 8: Contemporary practices in resource management (8 lectures)

EIA, GIS, Participatory Resource Appraisal, Ecological Footprint with emphasis on
carbon footprint, Resource Accounting; Waste management.

Unit 9: National and international efforts in resource management and conservation

(4 lectures)
National and international efforts in natural resource management and their conservation
approaches

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 CBCS Undergraduate Programme, 2018 : Botany Honours (Last updated: 08-04- 2019)

Course Code: BD606P

DSE Course – VI - Practical: Natural Resource Management

1. Estimation of solid waste generated by a domestic system (biodegradable and non-

biodegradable) and its impact on land degradation.
2. Collection of data on forest cover of specific area.
3. Measurement of dominance of woody species by DBH (diameter at breast height)
method.
4. Calculation and analysis of ecological footprint.
5. Ecological modeling.
Suggested Readings

1. Vasudevan, N. (2006). Essentials of Environmental Science. Narosa Publishing House,

New Delhi.
2. Singh, J. S., Singh, S.P. and Gupta, S. (2006). Ecology, Environment and Resource
Conservation. Anamaya Publications, New Delhi.
3. Rogers, P.P., Jalal, K.F. and Boyd, J.A. (2008). An Introduction to Sustainable
Development. Prentice Hall of India Private Limited, New Delhi.

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 CBCS Undergraduate Programme, 2018 : Botany Honours (Last updated: 08-04- 2019)

Course Code: BD607T

DSE Course – VII: Horticultural Practices and Post-Harvest Technology
The objective of this course is to expose the students to different horticulture crops,
cultivation and post-harvest technologies
(Credits: Theory-4, Practical-2)

THEORY
Lectures: 60

Unit 1: Introduction (4 lectures)

Scope and importance, Branches of horticulture; Role in rural economy and employment
generation; Importance in food and nutritional security; Urban horticulture and ecotourism.

Unit 2: Ornamental plants (4 lectures)

Types, classification (annuals, perennials, climbers and trees); Identification and salient features
of some ornamental plants [rose, marigold, gladiolus, carnations, orchids, poppies, gerberas,
tuberose, sages, cacti and succulents (opuntia, agave and spurges)] Ornamental flowering trees
(Indian laburnum, gulmohar, Jacaranda, Lagerstroemia, fishtail and areca palms, semul,
coraltree).

Unit 3: Fruit and vegetable crops (4 lectures)

Production, origin and distribution; Description of plants and their economic products;
Management and marketing of vegetable and fruit crops; Identification of some fruits and
vegetable varieties (citrus, banana, mango, chillies and cucurbits).

Unit 4: Horticultural techniques (8 lectures)

Application of manure, fertilizers, nutrients and PGRs; Weed control; Biofertilizers,
biopesticides; Irrigation methods (drip irrigation, surface irrigation, furrow and border
irrigation); Hydroponics; Propagation Methods: asexual (grafting, cutting, layering, budding),
sexual (seed propagation), Scope and limitations.

Unit 5: Landscaping and garden design (6 lectures)

Planning and layout (parks and avenues); gardening traditions - Ancient Indian, European,
Mughal and Japanese Gardens; Urban forestry; policies and practices.

Unit 6: Floriculture (6 lectures)

Cut flowers, bonsai, commerce (market demand and supply); Importance of flower shows and
exhibitions.

Unit 7: Post-harvest technology (10 lectures)

Importance of post harvest technology in horticultural crops; Evaluation of quality traits;
Harvesting and handling of fruits, vegetables and cut flowers; Principles, methods of
preservation and processing; Methods of minimizing loses during storage and transportation;
Food irradiation - advantages and disadvantages; food safety.
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 CBCS Undergraduate Programme, 2018 : Botany Honours (Last updated: 08-04- 2019)

Unit 8: Disease control and management (8 lectures)

Field and post-harvest diseases; Identification of deficiency symptoms; remedial measures and
nutritional management practices; Crop sanitation; IPM strategies (genetic, biological
andchemical methods for pest control); Quarantine practices; Identification of common diseases
andpests of ornamentals, fruits and vegetable crops.

Unit 9: Horticultural crops - conservation and management (10 lectures)

Documentation and conservation of germplasm; Role of micropropagation and tissue culture
techniques; Varieties and cultivars of various horticultural crops; IPR issues; National,
international and professional societies and sources of information on horticulture.

Unit 10: Field trip

Field visits to gardens, standing crop sites, nurseries, vegetable gardens and horticultural fields at
IARI or other suitable locations.

Course Code: BD607P

DSE Course – VII-Practical: Horticultural Practices and Post-Harvest Technology
1) Tools and implements , layout of nutrition garden – preparation of
nursery beds, sowing vegetable seeds , digging pits for fruit plants
and planting ,layout of irrigation systems
2) Preparation of Organic manure, Preparation and application of
fertilizer mixtures preparation and application of growth regulators
3) Grafting, cuttings of fruit plants
4) Preparation of Bonsai
5) Identification and management of nutritional disorder in fruits and
vegetables - assessment of bearing habits
6) Harvesting, grading, packing and storage of horticultural crops.

Suggested Readings

1. Singh, D. & Manivannan, S. (2009). Genetic Resources of Horticultural Crops. Ridhi

International, Delhi, India.
2. Swaminathan, M.S. and Kochhar, S.L. (2007). Groves of Beauty and Plenty: An Atlas of
Major Flowering Trees in India. Macmillan Publishers, India.
3. NIIR Board (2005). Cultivation of Fruits, Vegetables and Floriculture. National Institute of
Industrial Research Board, Delhi.
4. Kader, A.A. (2002). Post-Harvest Technology of Horticultural Crops. UCANR Publications,
USA.
rd
5. Capon, B. (2010). Botany for Gardeners. 3 Edition. Timber Press, Portland, Oregon.

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 CBCS Undergraduate Programme, 2018 : Botany Honours (Last updated: 08-04- 2019)

Course Code: BD608T

DSE Course – VIII: Biostatistics
The objective of this course is to expose the students to different statistical tools for
Biological data analysis
(Credits: Theory-4, Practical-2)

THEORY
Lectures: 60

Unit 1:Biostatistics (12 lectures)

Definition - statistical methods - basic principles. Variables - measurements, functions,

limitations and uses of statistics.

Unit 2:Collection of data primary and secondary (12 lectures)

Types and methods of data collection procedures - merits and demerits. Classification -
tabulation and presentation of data - sampling methods.

Unit 3:Measures of central tendency (14 lectures)

Mean, median, mode, geometric mean - merits & demerits. Measures of dispersion - range,
standard deviation, mean deviation, quartile deviation - merits and demerits; Co- efficient
of variations.

Unit 4:Correlation (12 lectures)

Types and methods of correlation, regression, simple regression equation, fitting

prediction, similarities and dissimilarities of correlation and regression

Unit 5:Statistical inference (10 lectures)

Hypothesis - simple hypothesis - student 't' test - chi square test.

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 CBCS Undergraduate Programme, 2018 : Botany Honours (Last updated: 08-04- 2019)

Course Code: BD608P

DSE Course – VIII - Practical: Biostatistics

Practical
1) Calculation of mean, standard deviation and standard error
2) Calculation of correlation coefficient values and finding out the probability
3) Calculation of ‘F’ value and finding out the probability value for the F value.

Suggested Readings

1. Biostatistic, Danniel, W.W., 1987.New York, John Wiley Sons.

2. An introduction to Biostatistics, 3rd edition, Sundarrao, P.S.S and Richards, J. Christian

Medical College, Vellore

3. Statistical Analysis of epidemiological data, Selvin, S., 1991. New York University Press.
4. Statistics for Biology, Boston, Bishop, O.N. Houghton, Mifflin.

5. The Principles of scientific research, Freedman, P. New York, Pergamon Press.

6. Statistics for Biologists, Campbell, R.C., 1998.Cambridge University Press.

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CBCS Undergraduate Programme, 2018 : Botany Honours (Last updated: 08-04- 2019)

Generic Elective Courses

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 CBCS Undergraduate Programme, 2018 : Botany Honours (Last updated: 08-04- 2019)

Generic Elective
I. Biodiversity (Microbes, Algae, Fungi, Lichen and Archegoniate)
The objective of this course is to expose the students to different forms of plant life

(Credits: Theory-4, Practical-2)

THEORY
Lectures: 60

Unit 1: Microbes (10 lectures)

Viruses – Discovery, general structure, replication (general account), DNA virus (T-phage);
Lytic and lysogenic cycle, RNA virus (TMV); Economic importance; Bacteria – Discovery,
General characteristics and cell structure; Reproduction – vegetative, asexual and
recombination (conjugation, transformation and transduction); Economic importance.

Unit 2: Algae (10 lectures)

General characteristics; Ecology and distribution; Range of thallus organization and
reproduction; Classification of algae; Morphology and life-cycles of the following: Nostoc,
Chlamydomonas, Oedogonium, Vaucheria, Fucus, Polysiphonia. Economic importance of
algae.

Unit 3: Fungi (12 lectures)

Introduction- General characteristics, ecology and significance, range of thallus organization,
cell wall composition, nutrition, reproduction and classification; True Fungi- General
characteristics, ecology and significance, life cycle of Rhizopus (Zygomycota)
Penicillium,Alternaria (Ascomycota), Puccinia, Agaricus (Basidiomycota); Symbiotic
Associations-Lichens:General account, reproduction and significance; Mycorrhiza:
ectomycorrhiza and endomycorrhiza and their significance

Unit 4: Lichen (2 lectures)

General account, types and importance

Unit 5: Introduction to Archegoniate (2 lectures)

Unifying features of archegoniates, Transition to land habit, Alternation of generations.

Unit 6: Bryophytes (10 lectures)

General characteristics, adaptations to land habit, Classification, Range of thallus
organization.Classification (up to family), morphology, anatomy and reproduction of
Marchantia and Funaria.(Developmental details not to be included).Ecology and economic
importance of bryophytes with special mention of Sphagnum.

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 CBCS Undergraduate Programme, 2018 : Botany Honours (Last updated: 08-04- 2019)

Unit 7: Pteridophytes (8 lectures)

General characteristics, classification, Early land plants (Cooksonia and Rhynia). Classification (up
to family), morphology, anatomy and reproduction of Selaginella, Equisetum and
Pteris.(Developmental details not to be included).Heterospory and seed habit, stelar
evolution.Ecological and economical importance of Pteridophytes.

Unit 8: Gymnosperms (6 lectures)

General characteristics; Classification (up to family), morphology, anatomy and reproduction of
Cycas and Pinus (Developmental details not to be included). Ecological and economical
importance.

Practical

5. EMs/Models of viruses – T-Phage and TMV, Line drawing/Photograph of Lytic and Lysogenic
Cycle.
6. Types of Bacteria from temporary/permanent slides/photographs; EM bacterium; Binary Fission;
Conjugation; Structure of root nodule.
7. Gram staining
8. Study of vegetative and reproductive structures of Nostoc, Chlamydomonas (electron micrographs),
Oedogonium, Vaucheria, Fucus* and Polysiphonia through temporary preparations and permanent
slides. (* Fucus - Specimen and permanent slides)
9. Rhizopus and Penicillium: Asexual stage from temporary mounts and sexual structuresthrough
permanent slides.
10. Alternaria: Specimens/photographs and tease mounts.
11. Puccinia: Herbarium specimens of Black Stem Rust of Wheat and infected Barberryleaves;
section/tease mounts of spores on Wheat and permanent slides of both the hosts.
12. Agaricus: Specimens of button stage and full grown mushroom; Sectioning of gills of
Agaricus.
13. Lichens: Study of growth forms of lichens (crustose, foliose and fruticose)
14. Mycorrhiza: ecto mycorrhiza and endo mycorrhiza (Photographs)

15. Marchantia- morphology of thallus, w.m. rhizoids and scales, v.s. thallus throughgemma cup, w.m.
gemmae (all temporary slides), v.s. antheridiophore, archegoniophore, l.s. sporophyte (all
permanent slides).
16. Funaria- morphology, w.m. leaf, rhizoids, operculum, peristome, annulus, spores(temporary
slides); permanent slides showing antheridial and archegonial heads, l.s. capsule and protonema.

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 CBCS Undergraduate Programme, 2018 : Botany Honours (Last updated: 08-04- 2019)

17. Selaginella- morphology, w.m. leaf with ligule, t.s. stem, w.m. strobilus,
w.m.microsporophyll and megasporophyll (temporary slides), l.s. strobilus (permanent slide).
18. Equisetum- morphology, t.s. internode, l.s. strobilus, t.s. strobilus, w.m.
sporangiophore,w.m. spores (wet and dry)(temporary slides); t.s rhizome (permanent slide).
19. Pteris- morphology, t.s. rachis, v.s. sporophyll, w.m. sporangium, w.m. spores(temporary
slides), t.s. rhizome, w.m. prothallus with sex organs and young sporophyte (permanent slide).
20. Cycas- morphology (coralloid roots, bulbil, leaf), t.s. coralloid root, t.s. rachis, v.s.
leaflet,v.s. microsporophyll, w.m. spores (temporary slides), l.s. ovule, t.s. root (permanent slide).
21. Pinus- morphology (long and dwarf shoots, w.m. dwarf shoot, male and female),
w.m.dwarf shoot, t.s. needle, t.s. stem, , l.s./t.s. male cone, w.m. microsporophyll, w.m. microspores
(temporary slides), l.s. female cone, t.l.s. &r.l.s. stem (permanent slide).

Suggested Readings
1. Kumar, H.D. (1999). Introductory Phycology. Affiliated East-West. Press Pvt. Ltd.
nd
Delhi. 2 edition.
2. Tortora, G.J., Funke, B.R., Case, C.L. (2010). Microbiology: An Introduction,
th
Pearson Benjamin Cummings, U.S.A. 10 edition.
3. Sethi, I.K. and Walia, S.K. (2011). Text book of Fungi & Their Allies, MacMillan
Publishers Pvt. Ltd., Delhi.
4. Alexopoulos, C.J., Mims, C.W., Blackwell, M. (1996). Introductory Mycology, John
th
Wiley and Sons (Asia), Singapore. 4 edition.
5. Raven, P.H., Johnson, G.B., Losos, J.B., Singer, S.R., (2005). Biology. Tata
McGraw Hill, Delhi, India.
6. Vashishta, P.C., Sinha, A.K., Kumar, A., (2010). Pteridophyta, S. Chand. Delhi,
India.
7. Bhatnagar, S.P. and Moitra, A. (1996). Gymnosperms. New Age International (P)
Ltd Publishers, New Delhi, India.
8. Parihar, N.S. (1991). An introduction to Embryophyta. Vol. I. Bryophyta. Central
Book Depot, Allahabad.

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Generic Elective
II. Plant Ecology and Taxonomy
The objective of this course is to expose the students to interaction of plant life with the
surroundings and also to identification, classification and nomenclature of plants
(Credits: Theory-4, Practical-2)

THEORY
Lectures: 60

Unit 1: Introduction (2 lectures)

Unit 2: Ecological factors (10 lectures)

Soil: Origin, formation, composition, soil profile. Water: States of water in the environment,
precipitation types. Light and temperature: Variation Optimal and limiting factors; Shelford law of
tolerance. Adaptation of hydrophytes and xerophytes

Unit 3: Plant communities (6 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 and phosphorous

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;
Documentation: Flora, Keys: single access and multi-access
Unit 8: Taxonomic evidences from palynology, cytology, phytochemistry and molecular data.
(6 lectures)

Unit 9: Taxonomic hierarchy (2 lectures)

Ranks, categories and taxonomic groups
Unit 10 Botanical nomenclature (6 lectures)
Principles and rules (ICN); ranks and names; binominal system, typification, author citation, valid
publication, rejection of names, principle of priority and its limitations.

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 CBCS Undergraduate Programme, 2018 : Botany Honours (Last updated: 08-04- 2019)

Unit 11 Classification (6 lectures)

Types of classification-artificial, natural and phylogenetic. Bentham and Hooker (upto series),
Engler and Prantl (upto series).

Unit 12 Biometrics, numerical taxonomy and cladistics (4 lectures)

Characters; variations; OTUs, character weighting and coding; cluster analysis;
phenograms, cladograms (definitions and differences).

Practical

1. Study of instruments used to measure microclimatic variables: Soil thermometer,

maximum and minimum thermometer, anemometer, psychrometer/hygrometer, rain gauge and lux
meter.
2. Determination of pH, and analysis of two soil samples for carbonates, chlorides,
nitrates, sulphates, organic matter and base deficiency by rapid field test.
3. Comparison of bulk density, porosity and rate of infiltration of water in soil of three
habitats.
4. (a) Study of morphological adaptations of hydrophytes and xerophytes (four each).
(b)Study of biotic interactions of the following: Stem parasite (Cuscuta), Root parasite (Orobanche),
Epiphytes, Predation (Insectivorous plants)
5. Determination of minimal quadrat size for the study of herbaceous vegetation in the
college campus by species area curve method. (species to be listed)
6. Quantitative analysis of herbaceous vegetation in the college campus for frequency and
comparison with Raunkiaer’s frequency distribution law
7. Study of vegetative and floral characters of the following families (Description,
V.S. flower, section of ovary, floral diagram/s, floral formula/e and systematic position according
to Bentham & Hooker’s system of classification):Brassicaceae - Brassica,Alyssum / Iberis;
Asteraceae -Sonchus/Launaea, Vernonia/Ageratum, Eclipta/Tridax; Solanaceae -Solanum nigrum,
Withania; Lamiaceae -Salvia, Ocimum; Liliaceae - Asphodelus / Lilium / Allium.
8. Mounting of a properly dried and pressed specimen of any wild plant with
herbarium label (to be submitted in the record book).

Suggested Readings

th
1. Kormondy, E.J. (1996). Concepts of Ecology. Prentice Hall, U.S.A. 4 edition.
th
2. Sharma, P.D. (2010) Ecology and Environment. Rastogi Publications, Meerut, India. 8 edition.
3. Simpson, M.G. (2006). Plant Systematics. Elsevier Academic Press, San Diego, CA,
U.S.A.

4. Singh, G. (2012). Plant Systematics: Theory and Practice. Oxford & IBH Pvt. Ltd., New
rd
Delhi. 3 edition.

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 CBCS Undergraduate Programme, 2018 : Botany Honours (Last updated: 08-04- 2019)

Generic Elective
III. Plant Anatomy and Embryology
The objective of this course is to expose the students to the types of plant tissues their
arrangement and also to plant reproduction
(Credits: Theory-4, Practical-2)

THEORY
Lectures: 60

Unit 1: Meristematic and permanent tissues (8 lectures)

Root and shoot apical meristems; Simple and complex tissues

Unit 2: Organs (4 lectures)

Structure of dicot and monocot root stem and leaf.

Unit 3: Secondary Growth (8 lectures)

Vascular cambium – structure and function, seasonal activity. Secondary growth in root and stem,
Wood (heartwood and sapwood)

Unit 4: Adaptive and protective systems (8 lectures)

Epidermis, cuticle, stomata; General account of adaptations in xerophytes and hydrophytes.

Unit 5: Structural organization of flower (8 lectures) Structure of anther and pollen; Structure and
types of ovules; Types of embryo sacs, organization and ultrastructure of mature embryo sac.

Unit 6: Pollination and fertilization (8 lectures)

Pollination mechanisms and adaptations; Double fertilization; Seed-structure appendages and
dispersal mechanisms.

Unit 7: Embryo and endosperm (8 lectures)

Endosperm types, structure and functions; Dicot and monocot embryo; Embryo-
endosperm relationship

Unit 8: Apomixis and polyembryony (8 lectures)

Definition, types and Practical applications

Practical

1. Study of meristems through permanent slides and photographs.

2. Tissues (parenchyma, collenchyma and sclerenchyma); Macerated xylary elements,

Phloem (Permanent slides, photographs)

3. Stem: Monocot: Zea mays; Dicot: Helianthus; Secondary: Helianthus (only Permanent slides).
4. Root: Monocot: Zea mays; Dicot: Helianthus; Secondary: Helianthus (only Permanent slides).
5. Leaf: Dicot and Monocot leaf (only Permanent slides).

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 CBCS Undergraduate Programme, 2018 : Botany Honours (Last updated: 08-04- 2019)

6. Adaptive anatomy: Xerophyte (Nerium leaf); Hydrophyte (Hydrilla stem).

7. Structure of anther (young and mature), tapetum (amoeboid and secretory) (Permanent slides).
8. Types of ovules: anatropous, orthotropous, circinotropous, amphitropous/ campylotropous.
9. Female gametophyte: Polygonum (monosporic) type of Embryo sac Development (Permanent
slides/photographs).
10. Ultrastructure of mature egg apparatus cells through electron micrographs.
11. Pollination types and seed dispersal mechanisms (including appendages, aril, caruncle)
(Photographs and specimens).
12. Dissection of embryo/endosperm from developing seeds.
13. Calculation of percentage of germinated pollen in a given medium.

Suggested Readings
1. Bhojwani, S.S. & Bhatnagar, S.P. (2011). Embryology of Angiosperms. Vikas Publication
th
House Pvt. Ltd. New Delhi. 5 edition.
2. Mauseth, J.D. (1988). Plant Anatomy. The Benjamin/Cummings Publisher, USA.

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 CBCS Undergraduate Programme, 2018 : Botany Honours (Last updated: 08-04- 2019)

Generic Elective
IV. Plant Physiology and Metabolism

(Credits: Theory-4, Practical-2)

THEORY
Lectures: 60

Unit 1: Plant-water relations (8 lectures)

Importance of water, water potential and its components; Transpiration and its significance; Factors
affecting transpiration; Root pressure and guttation.

Unit 2: Mineral nutrition (8 lectures)

Essential elements, macro and micronutrients; Criteria of essentiality of elements; Role of essential
elements; Transport of ions across cell membrane, active and passive transport, carriers, channels and
pumps.

Unit 3: Translocation in phloem. (6 lectures)

Composition of phloem sap, girdling experiment; Pressure flow model; Phloem loading and
unloading

Unit 4: Photosynthesis (12 lectures)

Photosynthetic Pigments (Chl a, b, xanthophylls, carotene); Photosystem I and II, reaction center,
antenna molecules; Electron transport and mechanism of ATP synthesis; C3, C4 and CAM pathways
of carbon fixation; Photorespiration.

Unit 5: Respiration (6 lectures) Glycolysis, anaerobic respiration, TCA cycle; Oxidative

phosphorylation, Glyoxylate, Oxidative Pentose Phosphate Pathway.

Unit 6: Enzymes (4 lectures) Structure and properties; Mechanism of enzyme catalysis and enzyme
inhibition.

Unit 7: Nitrogen metabolism (4 lectures)

Biological nitrogen fixation; Nitrate and ammonia assimilation.

Unit 8: Plant growth regulators (6 lectures)

Discovery and physiological roles of auxins, gibberellins, cytokinins, ABA, ethylene.

Unit 9: Plant response to light and temperature (6 lectures)

Photoperiodism (SDP, LDP, Day neutral plants); Phytochrome (discovery and structure), red and far red
light responses on photomorphogenesis; Vernalization.

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 CBCS Undergraduate Programme, 2018 : Botany Honours (Last updated: 08-04- 2019)

Practical

1. Determination of osmotic potential of plant cell sap by plasmolytic method.

2. To study the effect of two environmental factors (light and wind) on transpiration by excised twig.
3. Calculation of stomatal index and stomatal frequency of a mesophyte and a xerophyte.
4. Demonstration of Hill reaction.
5. Demonstrate the activity of catalase and study the effect of pH and enzyme concentration.
6. To study the effect of light intensity and bicarbonate concentration on O2 evolution in
photosynthesis.
7. Comparison of the rate of respiration in any two parts of a plant.
8. Separation of amino acids by paper chromatography.

Demonstration experiments (any four)

1. Bolting.
2. Effect of auxins on rooting.
3. Suction due to transpiration.
4. R.Q.
5. Respiration in roots.

Suggested Readings

1. Hopkins, W.G., Huner, N.P., (2009). Introduction to Plant Physiology. John Wiley & Sons,
th
U.S.A. 4 Edition.
2. Bajracharya, D., (1999). Experiments in Plant Physiology- A Laboratory Manual. Narosa
Publishing House, New Delhi.
3. Taiz, L., Zeiger, E., MØller, I.M. and Murphy, A (2015). Plant Physiology and

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 CBCS Undergraduate Programme, 2018 : Botany Honours (Last updated: 08-04- 2019)

Generic Elective
V. Economic Botany and Plant Biotechnology
(Credits: Theory-4, Practical-2)

THEORY
Lectures: 60

Unit 1: Origin of Cultivated Plants (4 lectures)

Concept of centres of origin, their importance with reference to Vavilov’s work.

Unit 2: Cereals (4 lectures)

Wheat -Origin, morphology, uses

Unit 3: Legumes (6 lectures)

General account with special reference to Gram and soybean

Unit 4: Spices (6 lectures) General account with special reference to clove and
black pepper (Botanical name, family, part used, morphology and uses)

Unit 5: Beverages (4 lectures)

Tea (morphology, processing, uses)

Unit 6: Oils and Fats (4 lectures)

General description with special reference to mustard

Unit 7: Fibre Yielding Plants (4 lectures)

General
4description with special reference to Cotton (Botanical
name, family, part used,morphology and uses)

Unit 8: Introduction to biotechnology (2 lecture)

Unit 9: Plant tissue culture (8 lectures)

Micropropagation ; haploid production through androgenesis and gynogenesis; brief account
of embryo and endosperm culture with their applications

Unit 10: Recombinant DNA Techniques (18 lectures)

Blotting techniques: Northern, Southern and Western Blotting, DNA Fingerprinting;
Molecular DNA markers i.e. RAPD, RFLP, SNPs; DNA sequencing, PCR and Reverse
Transcriptase-PCR. Hybridoma and monoclonal antibodies, ELISA and
Immunodetection.Molecular diagnosis of human disease, Human gene Therapy.

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 CBCS Undergraduate Programme, 2018 : Botany Honours (Last updated: 08-04- 2019)

Practical

1. Study of economically important plants : Wheat, Gram, Soybean, Black pepper,

Clove Tea, Cotton, mustard through specimens, sections and microchemical tests (oil
content, saponification)
2. Familiarization with basic equipments in tissue culture.
3. Study through photographs: Anther culture, somatic embryogenesis, endosperm and
embryo culture; micropropagation.
4. Study of molecular techniques: PCR, Blotting techniques, AGE and PAGE.

Suggested Readings

1. Kochhar, S.L. (2011). Economic Botany in the Tropics, MacMillan Publishers India
th
Ltd., New Delhi. 4 edition.
2. Bhojwani, S.S. and Razdan, M.K., (1996). Plant Tissue Culture: Theory and
Practice. Elsevier Science Amsterdam. The Netherlands.
3. Glick, B.R., Pasternak, J.J. (2003). Molecular Biotechnology- Principles and
Applications of recombinant DNA. ASM Press, Washington.

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 CBCS Undergraduate Programme, 2018 : Botany Honours (Last updated: 08-04- 2019)

Generic Elective
VI. Environmental Biotechnology
(Credits: Theory-4, Practical-2)

THEORY
Lectures: 60
Unit 1:Environment (4 lectures)

Basic concepts and issues, global environmental problems - ozone depletion, UV-B,
greenhouse effect and acid rain due to anthropogenic activities, their impact and
biotechnological approaches for management.

Unit 2: Environmental problems (6 lectures)

Environmental pollution - types of pollution, sources of pollution, measurement of pollution,

methods of measurement of pollution, fate of pollutants in the environment,
Bioconcentration, bio/geomagnification.
Unit 3:Microbiology of waste water treatment (8 lectures)

Aerobic process - activated sludge, oxidation ponds, trickling filter, towers, rotating discs,
rotating drums, oxidation ditch. Anaerobic process - anaerobic digestion, anaerobic filters,
up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket reactors. Treatment schemes for waste waters of dairy,
distillery, tannery, sugar and antibiotic industries.

Unit 4:Xenobiotic compounds (10 lectures)

Organic (chlorinated hydrocarbons, substituted simple aromatic compounds, polyaromatic

hydrocarbons, pesticides, surfactants) and inorganic (metals, radionuclides, phosphates,
nitrates). Bioremediation of xenobiotics in environment - ecological consideration, decay
behavior and degradative plasmids, molecular techniques in bioremediation.

Unit 5:Role of immobilized cells/enzymes in treatment of toxic compounds (6 lectures)

Biopesticides, bioreactors, bioleaching, biomining, biosensors, biotechniques for air

pollution abatement and odour control.

Unit 6:Sustainable Development (8 lectures)

Economics and Environment: Economic growth, Gross National Productivity and the quality
of life, Tragedy of Commons, Economics of Pollution control, Cost-benefit and cost
effectiveness analysis, WTO and Environment, Corporate Social Responsibility,
Environmental awareness and Education; Environmental Ethics.

Unit 7: International Legislations, Policies for Environmental Protection (6 lectures)

Stockholm Conference (1972) and its declaration, WCED (1983) and Brundtland Report

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 CBCS Undergraduate Programme, 2018 : Botany Honours (Last updated: 08-04- 2019)

(1987), Rio Earth Summit-UNCED (1992) and its declaration, Montreal Protocol -
1987, Basel Convention (1989), Kyoto Protocol- 1997, Ramsar Convention 1971.

Unit 8: National Legislations, Policies for Pollution Management (6 lectures)

Salient features of Wild life protection act 1972, Water Pollution (Prevention and Control)
Act-1974, Forest conservation act 1980, Air Pollution (Prevention and Control) Act-1981,
National Environmental Policy -2006, Central and State Pollution Control Boards:
Constitution and power.

Unit 9: Public Participation for Environmental Protection (6 lectures)

Environmental movement and people’s participation with special references to

Gandhamardan, Chilika and Narmada Bachao Andolan, Chipko and Silent valley
Movement; Women and Environmental Protection, Role of NGO in bringing environmental
awareness and education in the society.

Practical

1. Water/Soil analysis - DO, salinity, pH, chloride, total hardness, alkalinity,

acidity, nitrate, calcium, Magnesium and phosphorus.
2. Gravimetric analysis-Total solid, dissolved solid, suspended solid in an effluent
3. Microbial assessment of air (open plate and air sample) and water

Suggested Readings

1. Waste water engineering - treatment, disposal and reuse, Metcalf and Eddy Inc.,
Tata McGraw Hill, New Delhi.
2. Environmental Chemistry, AK. De, Wiley Eastern Ltd, New Delhi.
3. Introduction to Biodeterioration, D.Allsopp and K.J. Seal, ELBS / Edward Arnold.
4. Bioremidation, Baaker, KH and Herson D.S., 1994. Mc.GrawHill Inc, NewYork.
5. Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology - Nuzhat Ahmed, Fouad M. Qureshi
and Obaid Y. Khan, 2006. Horizon Press.
6. Environmental Molecular Biology, Paul. A, Rochelle, 2001.Horizon Press.
7. Environmental Protection and Laws by Jadhav and Bhosale, V.M.Himalaya publ. House

13. Biodiversity Assessment and Conservation by PC Trivedi, Agrobios publ.

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CBCS Undergraduate Programme, 2018 : Botany Honours (Last updated: 08-04- 2019)

Skill Enhancement Courses

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 CBCS Undergraduate Programme, 2018 : Botany Honours (Last updated: 08-04- 2019)

Skill Enhancement Course

SEC-I: Biofertilizers
(Credits 2)

Lectures: 30
Unit 1:General account about the microbes used as biofertilizer – Rhizobium – isolation,
identification, mass multiplication, carrier based inoculants, Actinorrhizal symbiosis.
(4 lectures)

Unit 2:Azospirillum: isolation and mass multiplication – carrier based inoculant, associative effect
of different microorganisms.Azotobacter: classification, characteristics – crop response to
Azotobacter inoculum, maintenance and mass multiplication. (8 lectures)

Unit 3:Cyanobacteria (blue green algae), Azolla and Anabaena azollae association, nitrogen
fixation, factors affecting growth, blue green algae and Azolla in rice cultivation. (4 lectures)

Unit 4: Mycorrhizal association, types of mycorrhizal association, taxonomy, occurrence and

distribution, phosphorus nutrition, growth and yield – colonization of VAM – isolation and
inoculum production of VAM, and its influence on growth and yield of crop plants.
(8 lectures)

Unit 5:Organic farming – Green manuring and organic fertilizers, Recycling of bio-degradable
municipal, agricultural and Industrial wastes – biocompost making methods, types and method of
vermicomposting – field Application. (6 lectures)
Suggested Readings

1. Dubey, R.C., 2005 A Text book of Biotechnology S.Chand & Co, New Delhi.
2. Kumaresan, V. 2005, Biotechnology, Saras Publications, New Delhi.
3. John Jothi Prakash, E. 2004. Outlines of Plant Biotechnology. Emkay Publication,
New Delhi.
4. Sathe, T.V. 2004 Vermiculture and Organic Farming. Daya publishers.
5. Subha Rao, N.S. 2000, Soil Microbiology, Oxford & IBH Publishers, New Delhi.
6. Vayas,S.C, Vayas, S. and Modi, H.A. 1998 Bio-fertilizers and organic Farming Akta
Prakashan, Nadiad

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 CBCS Undergraduate Programme, 2018 : Botany Honours (Last updated: 08-04- 2019)

Skill Enhancement Course

SEC-II: Herbal Technology

(Credits 2)
Lectures: 30

Unit 1:Herbal medicines: history and scope - definition of medical terms - role of medicinal
plants in Siddha systems of medicine; cultivation - harvesting - processing - storage - marketing
and utilization of medicinal plants. (6 Lectures)

Unit 2: Pharmacognosy - systematic position m edicinal uses of the following herbs in curing
various ailments; Tulsi, Ginger, Fenugreek, Indian Goose berry and Ashoka.(6 Lectures)

Unit 3:Phytochemistry - active principles and methods of their testing - identification and
utilization of the medicinal herbs; Catharanthus roseus (cardiotonic), Withania somnifera
(drugs acting on nervous system), Clerodendron phlomoides (anti-rheumatic) and Centella
asiatica (memory booster). (6 Lectures)
Unit 4:Analytical pharmacognosy: Drug adulteration - types, methods of drug evaluation -
Biological testing of herbal drugs - Phytochemical screening tests for secondary metabolites
(alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids, triterpenoids, phenolic compounds) (8 Lectures)

Unit 5:Medicinal plant banks micro propagation of important species (Withania somnifera,
neem and tulsi- Herbal foods-future of pharmacognosy) (4 Lectures)

Suggested Readings

1. Glossary of Indian medicinal plants, R.N.Chopra, S.L.Nayar and I.C.Chopra, 1956. C.S.I.R,
New Delhi.

2. The indigenous drugs of India, Kanny, Lall, Dey and Raj Bahadur, 1984.
International Book Distributors.

3. Herbal plants and Drugs Agnes Arber, 1999. Mangal Deep Publications.

4. Ayurvedic drugs and their plant source. V.V. Sivarajan and Balachandran Indra 1994.
Oxford IBH publishing Co.

5. Ayurveda and Aromatherapy. Miller, Light and Miller, Bryan, 1998. Banarsidass, Delhi.

6. Principles of Ayurveda, Anne Green, 2000. Thomsons, London.

7. Pharmacognosy, Dr.C.K.Kokate et al. 1999. Nirali Prakashan.

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 CBCS Undergraduate Programme, 2018 : Botany Honours (Last updated: 08-04- 2019)

Skill Enhancement Course

SEC-III: Nursery and Gardening
(Credits 2)

Lectures: 30
Unit 1: Nursery: definition, objectives and scope and building up of infrastructure for
nursery, planning and seasonal activities - Planting - direct seeding and transplants.
(4 Lectures)

Unit 2: Seed: Structure and types - Seed dormancy; causes and methods of breaking
dormancy - Seed storage: Seed banks, factors affecting seed viability, genetic erosion
- Seed production technology - seed testing and certification. (6 Lectures)

Unit 3:Vegetative propagation: air-layering, cutting, selection of cutting, collecting season,

treatment of cutting, rooting medium and planting of cuttings - Hardening of plants - green
house - mist chamber, shed root, shade house and glass house.
(6Lectures)

Unit 4:Gardening: definition, objectives and scope - different types of gardening - landscape and
home gardening - parks and its components - plant materials and design - computer applications
in landscaping - Gardening operations: soil laying, manuring,
watering, management of pests and diseases and harvesting. (8 Lectures)
Unit 5:Sowing/raising of seeds and seedlings - Transplanting of seedlings - Study of
cultivation of different vegetables: cabbage, brinjal, lady’s finger, onion, garlic,
tomatoes, and carrots - Storage and marketing procedures. (6 Lectures)

Suggested Readings

1. Bose T.K. & Mukherjee, D., 1972, Gardening in India, Oxford & IBH Publishing Co., New
Delhi.
2. Sandhu, M.K., 1989, Plant Propagation, Wile Eastern Ltd., Bangalore, Madras.
3. Kumar, N., 1997, Introduction to Horticulture, Rajalakshmi Publications, Nagercoil.
4. Edmond Musser & Andres, Fundamentals of Horticulture, McGraw Hill Book Co., New
Delhi.
5. Agrawal, P.K. 1993, Hand Book of Seed Technology, Dept. of Agriculture and
Cooperation, National Seed Corporation Ltd., New Delhi.
6. Janick Jules. 1979. Horticultural Science. (3rd Ed.), W.H. Freeman and Co., San Francisco,
USA.

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Skill Enhancement Course

SEC-IV: Floriculture
(Credits 2)

Lectures: 30
Unit 1:Introduction: History of gardening; Importance and scope of floriculture and landscape
gardening. (2 Lectures)

Unit 2:Nursery Management and Routine Garden Operations: Sexual and vegetative methods of
propagation; Soil sterilization; Seed sowing; Pricking; Planting and transplanting; Shading; Stopping
or pinching; Defoliation; Wintering; Mulching; Topiary; Role of plant growth regulators. (8
lectures)

Unit 3:Ornamental Plants: Flowering annuals; Herbaceous perennials; Divine vines; Shade and
ornamental trees; Ornamental bulbous and foliage plants; Cacti and succulents; Palms and Cycads;
Ferns and Selaginellas; Cultivation of plants in pots; Indoor gardening; Bonsai.

(4 lectures)

Unit 4:Principles of Garden Designs: English, Italian, French, Persian, Mughal and Japanese gardens;
Features of a garden (Garden wall, Fencing, Steps, Hedge, Edging, Lawn, Flower beds, Shrubbery, Borders,
Water garden. Some Famous gardens of India. (4 lectures)

Unit 5:Landscaping Places of Public Importance: Landscaping highways and Educational

institutions. (4 lectures)

Unit 6:Commercial Floriculture: Factors affecting flower production; Production and packaging of cut
flowers; Flower arrangements; Methods to prolong vase life; Cultivation of Important cut flowers
(Carnation, Aster, Chrysanthemum, Dahlia, Gerbera, Gladiolous, Marigold,Rose, Lilium, Orchids).
(6 lectures)
Unit 7:Diseases and Pests of Ornamental Plants.
(2 lectures)

Suggested Readings

1. Randhawa, G.S. and Mukhopadhyay, A. 1986. Floriculture in

India. Allied Publishers.

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 CBCS Undergraduate Programme, 2018 : Botany Honours (Last updated: 08-04- 2019)

Skill Enhancement Course

SEC-V: Medicinal Botany

(Credits 2)

Lectures: 30
Unit 1:History, Scope and Importance of Medicinal Plants. Indigenous Medicinal Sciences;
Definitionand Scope-Ayurveda: History, origin, panchamahabhutas, saptadhatu and tridosha
concepts, Rasayana, plants used in ayurvedic treatments, Siddha: Origin of Siddha medicinal
systems, Basis of Siddha system, plants used in Siddha medicine. Unani: History, concept: Umoor-
e- tabiya, tumors treatments/ therapy, polyherbal formulations.(10 Lectures)

Unit 2: Conservation of endangered and endemic medicinal plants. Definition: endemic

and endangered medicinal plants, Red list criteria; In situ conservation: Biosphere
reserves, sacred groves, National Parks; Ex situ conservation: Botanic Gardens, Ethnomedicinal
plant Gardens. Propagation of Medicinal Plants: Objectives of the nursery, its classification,
important components of a nursery, sowing, pricking, use of green house for nursery production,
propagation through cuttings, layering, grafting and budding.(10 Lectures)

Unit 3: Ethnobotany and Folk medicines. Definition; Ethnobotany in India: Methods to study
ethnobotany; Applications of Ethnobotany: National interacts, Palaeo-ethnobotany. folk medicines
of ethnobotany, ethnomedicine, ethnoecology, ethnic communities of India. Application of natural
products to certain diseases- Jaundice, cardiac, infertility, diabetics, Blood pressure and skin
diseases. (10 Lectures)

Suggested Readings
1. Trivedi P C, 2006. Medicinal Plants: Ethnobotanical Approach, Agrobios, India.

2. Purohit and Vyas, 2008. Medicinal Plant Cultivation: A Scientific Approach,

nd
2 edn. Agrobios, India.

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 CBCS Undergraduate Programme, 2018 : Botany Honours (Last updated: 08-04- 2019)

Skill Enhancement Course

SEC-VI: Plant Diversity and Human Welfare
(Credits 2)

Lectures: 30

Unit 1: Plant diversity and its scope- Genetic diversity, Species diversity, Plant diversity at
theecosystem level, Agrobiodiversity and cultivated plant taxa, wild taxa. Values and uses of
Biodiversity:Ethical and aesthetic values, Precautionary principle, Methodologies for valuation, Uses of
plants, Uses of microbes. (8 lectures)

Unit 2:Loss of Biodiversity: Loss of genetic diversity, Loss of species diversity, Loss of ecosystem
diversity, Loss of agrobiodiversity, Projected scenario for biodiversity loss, Management of Plant
Biodiversity: Organizations associated with biodiversity management-Methodology for execution-
IUCN, UNEP, UNESCO, WWF, NBPGR; Biodiversity legislation and conservations, Biodiversity
information management and communication. (8 lectures)

Unit 3:Conservation of Biodiversity: Conservation of genetic diversity, speciesdiversity and ecosystem

diversity, In situ and ex situ conservation, Socialapproaches to conservation, Biodiversity awareness
programmes, Sustainable development. (8 lectures)

Unit 4: Role of plants in relation to Human Welfare; a) Importance of forestry their utilization
and commercial aspects b) Avenue trees, c) Ornamental plants of India. d) Alcoholic beverages through
ages. Fruits and nuts: Important fruit crops their commercial importance. Wood and its uses. (6
lectures)

Suggested Readings
1. Krishnamurthy, K.V. (2004). An Advanced Text Book of Biodiversity - Principles and
Practices. Oxford and IBH Publications Co. Pvt. Ltd. New Delhi

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 CBCS Undergraduate Programme, 2018 : Botany Honours (Last updated: 08-04- 2019)

Skill Enhancement Course

SEC-VII: Ethnobotany
(Credits 2)
Lectures: 30
Unit 1: Ethnobotany (6 Lectures)
Introduction, concept, scope and objectives; Ethnobotany as an interdisciplinary
science.The relevance of ethnobotany in the present context; Major and minor ethnic
groups or Tribals of India, and their life styles. Plants used by the tribals: a) Food plants
b) intoxicants and beverages c) Resins and oils and miscellaneous uses.
Unit 2: Methodology of Ethnobotanical studies (6 lectures)

a) Field work b) Herbarium c) Ancient Literature d) Archaeological findings e) temples

and sacred places.
Unit 3: Role of ethnobotany in modern Medicine(10 lectures)
Medico-ethnobotanical sources in India;Significance of the following plants in ethno
botanical practices (along with their habitat and morphology) a) Azadiractha indica b)
Ocimum sanctum c) Vitex negundo. d) Centella asiatica e) Houttuynia cordata f)
Tinospora sinensis g) Senna alata h) Paederia foetida. Role of ethnobotany in modern
medicine with special example Rauvolfia sepentina, Andrographis paniculata,
Artemisia,Withania.
Role of ethnic groups in conservation of plant genetic resources.Endangered taxa and
forest management (participatory forest management).
Unit 4: Ethnobotany and legal aspects (8 lectures)
Ethnobotany as a tool to protect interests of ethnic groups. Sharing of wealth concept
with few examples from India. Biopiracy, Intellectual Property Rights and Traditional
Knowledge.

Suggested Readings

1) S.K. Jain, Manual of Ethnobotany, Scientific Publishers, Jodhpur, 1995.

2) S.K. Jain (ed.) Glimpses of Indian. Ethnobotny, Oxford and I B H, New Delhi – 1981
3) Lone et al,. Palaeoethnobotany

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 CBCS Undergraduate Programme, 2018 : Botany Honours (Last updated: 08-04- 2019)

4) S.K. Jain (ed.) 1989. Methods and approaches in ethnobotany. Society of

ethnobotanists, Lucknow, India.
5) S.K. Jain, 1990. Contributions of Indian ethnobotny.Scientific publishers, Jodhpur.
6) Colton C.M. 1997. Ethnobotany – Principles and applications. John Wiley and sons –
Chichester
7) Rama Ro, N and A.N. Henry (1996). The Ethnobotany of Eastern Ghats in Andhra
Pradesh, India.Botanical Survey of India. Howrah. 8) Rajiv K. Sinha – Ethnobotany The
Renaissance of Traditional Herbal Medicine – INA –SHREE Publishers, Jaipur-1996 9)
Faulks, P.J. 1958.An introduction to Ethnobotany, Moredale pub. Ltd.

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 CBCS Undergraduate Programme, 2018 : Botany Honours (Last updated: 08-04- 2019)

Skill Enhancement Course

SEC-VIII: Mushroom Culture Technology
(Credits 2)

Lectures: 30

Unit 1:Introduction, history. Nutritional and medicinal value of edible mushrooms;

Poisonous mushrooms.Types of edible mushrooms available in India - Volvariella
volvacea, Pleurotus
citrinopileatus, Agaricus bisporus. (5 Lectures)

Unit 2: Cultivation Technology : Infrastructure: substrates (locally available) Polythene

bag, vessels, Inoculation hook, inoculation loop, low cost stove, sieves, culture rack,
mushroom unit (Thatched house) water sprayer, tray, small polythene bag. Pure culture:
Medium, sterilization, preparation of spawn, multiplication. Mushroom bed preparation -
paddy straw, sugarcane trash, maize straw, banana leaves. Factors affecting the
mushroom bed preparation - Low cost technology, Composting technology in mushroom
production. (12 Lectures)

Unit 3: Storage and nutrition : Short-term storage (Refrigeration - upto 24 hours) Long
term Storage (canning, pickels, papads), drying, storage in saltsolutions. Nutrition -
Proteins - amino acids, mineral elements nutrition - Carbohydrates, Crude fibre content -
Vitamins.

(8 Lectures)

Unit 4:Food Preparation :Types of foods prepared from mushroom.Research Centres -

National level and Regional level. Cost benefit ratio - Marketing in India and abroad,
Export Value. (5 lectures)

Suggested Readings

1. Marimuthu, T. Krishnamoorthy, A.S. Sivaprakasam, K. and Jayarajan. R

(1991) Oyster Mushrooms, Department of Plant Pathology, Tamil Nadu
Agricultural University, Coimbatore.
2. Swaminathan, M. (1990) Food and Nutrition. Bappco, The Bangalore
Printing and Publishing Co. Ltd., No. 88, Mysore Road, Bangalore - 560018.
3. Tewari, Pankaj Kapoor, S.C., (1988). Mushroom cultivation, Mittal
Publications, Delhi.
4. Nita Bahl (1984-1988) Hand book of Mushrooms, II Edition, Vol. I & Vol. II.

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 CBCS Undergraduate Programme, 2018 : Botany Honours (Last updated: 08-04- 2019)

Skill Enhancement Course

SEC-IX: Intellectual Property Rights

(Credits 2)

Lectures: 30
Unit 1: Introduction to intellectual property right (IPR) (2 lectures)

Concept and kinds. Economic importance. IPR in India and world: Genesis and scope,
some important examples.IPR and WTO (TRIPS, WIPO).

Unit 2 : Patents (3 Lectures)

Objectives, Rights, Patent Act 1970 and its amendments. Procedure of obtaining patents,
Working of patents. Infringement.

Unit 3: Copyrights (3 Lectures)

Introduction, Works protected under copyright law, Rights, Transfer of Copyright,

Infringement.

Unit4: Trademarks (3 Lectures)

Objectives, Types, Rights, Protection of goodwill, Infringement, Passing off, Defences,

Domain name.

Unit 5: Geographical Indications (3 Lectures)

Objectives, Justification, International Position, Multilateral Treaties, National

Level, Indian
Position.

Unit 6:Protection of Traditional Knowledge (4 Lectures)

Objective, Concept of Traditional Knowledge, Holders, Issues concerning, Bio-

Prospecting and Bio-Piracy, Alternative ways, Protectability, needfor a Sui-Generis
regime, Traditional Knowledge on the International Arena, at WTO, at National level,
Traditional Knowledge Digital Library.

Unit 7: Industrial Designs (2 Lectures)

Objectives, Rights, Assignments, Infringements, Defences of Design Infringement

Unit 8: Protection of Plant Varieties (2 Lectures)

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 CBCS Undergraduate Programme, 2018 : Botany Honours (Last updated: 08-04- 2019)

Plant Varieties Protection-Objectives, Justification, International Position, Plant varieties

protection in India. Rights of farmers, Breeders and Researchers.National gene bank,
Benefit sharing.Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act, 2001.
Unit 9:Information Technology Related Intellectual Property Rights (4 Lectures)

Computer Software and Intellectual Property, Database and Data Protection,

Protection of Semi-conductor chips, Domain Name Protection

Unit 10: Biotechnology and Intellectual Property Rights. (4 Lectures)

Patenting Biotech Inventions: Objective, Applications, Concept of Novelty, Concept of

inventive step, Microorganisms, Moral Issues in Patenting Biotechnological inventions.

Suggested Readings

1. N.S. Gopalakrishnan & T.G. Agitha, (2009) Principles of Intellectual Property

Eastern Book Company, Lucknow.
2. Kerly’s Law of Trade Marks and Trade Names (14th Edition) Thomson, Sweet &
Maxweel.
3. Ajit Parulekar and Sarita D’ Souza, (2006) Indian Patents Law – Legal & Business
Implications; Macmillan India Ltd.
4. B.L.Wadehra (2000) Law Relating to Patents, Trade Marks, Copyright, Designs &
Geographical Indications; Universal law Publishing Pvt. Ltd., India.
5. P. Narayanan (2010) Law of Copyright and Industrial Designs; Eastern law House,
Delhi.

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 CBCS Undergraduate Programme, 2018 : Botany Honours (Last updated: 08-04- 2019)

Skill Enhancement Course

SEC-X: Tea Plantation and Management
(Credits 2)
Lectures: 30

Unit 1 (8 Lecturers)

History of tea cultivation, origin of tea drinking practice, Cultivation of tea in India and
other countries, Cultivation of tea in Assam Science of tea, classification, botanical
name, growth and characteristics of tea plant, morphology and anatomy of tea plants
Unit2 (4 Lecturers)
Climate and tea production, temperature, rainfall, humidity, sunshine, shade trees, soil
characteristics, organic matter, soil nutrients, nutrients application.

Unit 3 (4 Lecturers)

Tea culture and Propagation techniques, seed propagation, vegetative propagation,

grafting, nursery management

Unit 4 (6 Lecturers)

Selection of planting sites, land preparation, plant spacing and staking, irrigation, weed
and pest control, Tea disease and control measure. Manuring , pruning, tipping and
plucking, shade tree nursery

Unit 5 (8 Lecturers)
Production and processing of tea leaves: Black tea, Green tea and Oolong tea, chemistry
of tea manufacturing and tea quality; tea grades; storing of tea; Organic tea preparation,
instant tea, herbal tea .Cheapest hygienic beverage, health benefits of tea, employment
generation, revenue earner.

Suggested reading

1. Tea Cultivation in the Plains of North East India by A. P. Das, S. E. Kabir Regency
Publications
2. Global Advance in Tea Science Paperback – June 1, 2002 by N. K. Jain
3. James Norwood Pratt’s Tea Dictionary by James Norwood Pratt and Devan Shah
4. Global tea scienceCurrent Status and Future Needs Editors

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