TKP3104

BIOTEKNOLOGI PERTANIAN

(AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY)

SEMESTER 1 :2018/2019

LECTURER’S NAMES : ENCIK AZMI BIN ABDUL RASHID

: PROF. MADYA DR. TAN GEOK HUN

: PROF. MADYA DR. HALIMI BIN MOHD SAUD

PROVIDED BY:

1) SITI NABILA BINTI MOHAMAD (183627)

2) NOR AZIRA BINTI NUS (185417)

3) SITI NUR ATHIRAH BINTI ZAINUDIN (184313)

1.0 Introduction

Technically a microorganism or microbe is an organism that is microscopic. The study of

microorganisms is called microbiology. Microorganisms can be bacteria, fungi, archaea or
protists. The term microorganisms does not include viruses and prions, which are generally
classified as non-living.

There is currently a great deal of discussion about the organisation and classification of
life, particularly in the study of microorganisms. The basic distinction divides living organisms
into two groups: prokaryotes (cells without internal membrane bound organelles - the
monera, including most microorganisms) and eukaryotes (cells containing membrane bound
organelles - protists, fungi, plants and animals).

Before the advent of the microscope, living organisms were conveniently divided into two
kingdoms: plant or animal. This division was unsatisfactory, however - what about fungi?
Today kingdom taxonomists have defined systems based on five or six kingdoms (Archaea -
the sixth, Monera, Protoctista, Fungi, Plantae, and Animalia), neither of which include
viruses (or prions). Viruses are considered to be on the line between living and non-living.

1.1 Type Of Microorganisms

 Bacteria
It’s perhaps the most well-known microorganism, are a member of the
prokaryotes; they have no nucleus within the cell and contain no organelles
(specialised cellular ‘organs’). Within bacteria there are two classes, Gram
positive bacteria which have thicker cell wall and Gram negatives which have a
thinner layer sandwiched between an inner and outer membrane.

Bacteria are extremely diverse and in terms of number are by far the most
successful organism on Earth. Bacteria are the only microorganisms which can
live harmlessly within the human body, often aiding bodily functions such as
digestion. In fact there are more bacterial cells within the human body than
humans cells, albeit much smaller in size. Bacteria, of all the ‘living’
microorganisms, cause the most problems in terms of disease in humans,
despite only relatively few bacteria being dangerous.
  Fungi
It’s eukaryotes which means they have a defined nucleus and organelles. The
cells are larger than prokaryotes such as bacteria. Fungal colonies can be visible
to the human eye once they have achieved a certain level of growth, for example
mould on bread. Fungi can be split into three main groups,
 moulds which display thread-like (filamentous) growth and multicellular
structures,
 yeasts which are typically non-filamentous and can be single celled and
 mushrooms which possess a fruiting body for production of spores

Fungi can be problematic for the immunocompromised and contain significant

pathogens which can cause disease in plants. However, we also recognise
organisms from this group from widespread use in the food industry, for
production of beer and other foodstuffs.

 Viruses
It’s considered by many experts to not be living organisms. They essentially
consist of nucleic acid (DNA or RNA,) and a protein coat. A virion (a virus
particle) requires a host cell in order to replicate. Within the human anatomy a
virus enters a human cell and hijacks the it, using the cell to replicate.
In many cases the immune system detects the presence of the virus and takes
action leaving us with the symptoms of a common cold or influenza. Some
viruses can cause permanent and irreversible damage to cells, for example HIV.

 Algae
are a more difficult to define group of organisms, containing both prokaryotes and
eukaryotes by some definitions. Unlike other microorganisms algae are typically
photosynthesisers and are typically found in marine environments. Prokaryotic
algae, or Cyanobacteria, are often called blue-green algae although some
definition or opinions will state that algae are eukaryotes only (that they are
essentially small aquatic plants). There are other groups such
as Archaea and Protozoa which are generally less well known.

But, not most people know that there beneficial microorganisms that can enhance the
production of agriculture and it is also help in variety of fields such as medical, food
production and many more.
2.0 Definition of beneficial microorganisms

In agriculture and gardening, a beneficial organism is any organism that benefits the
growing process, including insects, arachnids, other animals, plants, bacteria, fungi, viruses,
and nematodes. Benefits include pest control, pollination, and maintenance of soil health.
The opposite of beneficial organisms are pests, which are organisms deemed detrimental to
the growing process.

In addiction, microorganisms also have uses and benefits across all aspects of human
life. From the bacteria that help humans digest food to the viruses that help plants resist
heat, bacteria, viruses and fungi – when used properly – are key components in food,
medicine, agriculture and other areas. In the future, they may even be core components of
infrastructure and other new technologies.

Microorganisms are widely used in various beneficial applications, including food, pest
control, bioremediation, biodegradation, biofuel processes, and plant symbiosis and growth
stimulation. his book provides an overview of the available methodology for safety
assessments of microorganisms, including determination of their infectivity and whether they
produce toxic or sensitising substances. Also covered are the regulatory systems in risk
assessment and management of microbial products, quarantine legislations, international
treaties, the importance of public risk perception and risk reduction behaviour.
3.0 The Uses Of Beneficial Microorganisms

Microorganisms have uses and benefits across all aspects of human life. From the
bacteria that help humans digest food to the viruses that help plants resist heat, bacteria,
viruses and fungi – when used properly – are key components in food, medicine,
agriculture and other areas. In the future, they may even be core components of
infrastructure and other new technologies. Microorganisms, in the form of viruses, fungi
and bacteria, are everywhere. It’s impossible to avoid them when the human body
contains 10 times more bacteria than human cells. While the most familiar
microorganisms are harmful, such as the flu and the common cold, many
microorganisms are incredibly helpful. They have uses everywhere from agriculture to
cutting-edge medical technology. Every year, researchers are finding new uses and
benefits of microorganisms to be applied in medicine, infrastructure, cooking and other
areas.

There are several uses of Beneficial Microorganisms as shown below:

 Environmental Benefits
Bacteria and fungi are required to maintain a healthy environment. Not only do they
recycle natural wastes and dead animal and plant matter, they also produce many of the
nutrients that plants need to grow. Bacteria, in particular, are the only living things that
can fix nitrogen for use in plants. At the same time, microorganisms work in tandem with
certain plants to aid them. Some viruses have been found to provide heat resistance to
grasses in arid locations, and many plants store bacteria in their roots to help absorb
certain nutrients more easily.

 Microorganisms in Food
In addition to their direct environmental benefits, microorganisms are important
partners when it comes to the work of creating food. They can be used to increase the
fertility of the soil and increase crop yields, and they are necessary when making
products like bread, beer and cheese and when growing coffee. At the same time, foods
with probiotic properties, such as yogurt and certain types of chocolate, deliver helpful
microorganisms to our digestive systems.
  Bodily Benefits
Microorganisms known as gut flora help us digest food and regulate the production of
vitamins and nutrients essential to keeping our bodies strong and healthy. Bacteria are
the first line of defense the human body has against infection. The bacteria in our bodies
produce natural antibiotics to repel harmful microorganisms, and if a foreign virus does
infect us, many people are host to a beneficial virus that slows the rate of viral spread in
the body.

 Medical Benefits
We regularly aid the microorganisms in our bodies by adding more. Though certain
species of microorganisms can make you sick – strep throat, the flu and measles are
nothing to laugh at – modern medicine would not exist if not for the careful study of
microorganisms. Bacteria and viruses are the key components of the vaccines that
prevent the spread of once-deadly diseases like smallpox. Today microorganisms allow
us to artificially grow helpful substances such as insulin and human growth hormones,
and reprogrammed viruses are frequently used as drug-delivery mechanisms.

 Microorganisms in Biotechnology
Microorganisms have evolved as a potential alternate source of energy.
Microorganisms are used to produce biofuels like biodiesel, bioalcohol and also microbial
fuel cell. E.g. Algae

 Microorganisms in waste treatment

Microorganisms play a crucial role is managing and treating domestic and industrial
waste.

 Microorganisms in Agriculture
1. Microorganisms can improve crop nutrition and the ability of crops to
resist biotic and abiotic stress. Thus, greater utilisation of
microorganisms in agricultural systems has the potential to allow
reductions in the use of inorganic fertilisers, water, herbicides and
pesticides.
2. Microbes are harmful but some microbes are useful for our day to life.
Microbes in agriculture used as:
 Bio-control agent.
 Bio-control agent are expensive ,safe then chemical pesticides.
They are used to control insect pests,pathogens or weeds on
plants.Microorganisms used for biological control
are bacteria, Fungi, Viruses and Protozoa.Some are used in
commercial scale used to control mostly insect pests and help
high yield by control of disease.
 Biological fertilizer/ Biofertilizer
The Nitrogen Fixers
-The free living Nitrogen fixers bacteria are made in a powder
solution form and sprayed to the soil
-The help convert atmospheric Nitrogen into
nitrite and nitrates, thus increase nitrogen
content in the soil
E.g:
Azotobacter
Costridium
Rhhodospirillum rubrum
Bacillus polymyxa

3. Effective microorganism(EM) function as the:

 Microbial inoculants for shifting the soil microbiology great
equilibrium in ways that can improve soil equality.
 Enhance crop production and protection
 Conserve the natural resources and
 Create a more sustainable agriculture and environment.

4. Microorganism plays very important role in agriculture because the soil

microbes (bacteria and fungi) are essential for decomposing organic
matter and recycling old plant material.
Some of their vital functions are described below:

1)Soil microbes break down organic matter: Microorganisms play an important role in
the decomposition of organic matter. Different types of microbes are specialised to different
types of organic matter, between them covering just about everything.

2)Soil microbes help to recycle nutrients: Soil microbes play a crucial role in returning
nutrients to their mineral forms, which plants can take up again. This process is known as
mineralization.
 3)Soil microbes create humus: When the soil microbes have broken down all they
can, what’s left is called humus, a dark brown jelly-like substance that can remain
unchanged in the soil for potentially millennia. Humus helps the soil retain moisture, and
encourages the formation of soil structure. Humus molecules are covered in negatively
charged sites that bind to positively charged ions (cations) of plant nutrients, thus forming an
important component of a soil’s cation exchange capacity. Humus is also suspected of
suppressing plant diseases.

4)Soil microbes create soil structure: Some soil microbes secrete polysaccharides,
gums and glycoproteins, which glue soil minerals together, forming the basis for soil
structure. Fungal hyphae and plant roots further bind soil aggregates together. Soil structure
is essential to good plant growth.

5)Soil microbes fix nitrogen: Agriculture depends heavily on the ability of certain
microbes (mainly bacteria) to convert atmospheric nitrogen (N2 gas) to ammonia (NH3).
Some live freely in the soil, while others live in association with plant roots the classic
example is Rhizobiumbacteria in the roots of legumes. The process of conversion is known
as nitrogen fixation. Biological nitrogen fixation contributes about 60% of the nitrogen fixed
on Earth. In contrast, manufactured fertilisers contribute 25%. As the cost of energy
continues to rise, so too the cost of manufactured nitrogen fertilisers will rise, so biological
nitrogen fixation is likely to have ever increasing importance in food production.

6)Soil organisms promote plant growth: Some soil microbes produce a variety of
substances that promote plant growth, including auxins, gibberellins and antibiotics.

7)Soil microbes control pests and diseases: The best known example of the use of
soil microbes in pest control is the commercial production of the soil bacterium Bacillus
thuringiensis (Bt) to control caterpillar pests of crops. Some strains of Bt are used to control
beetles and flies as well. Several strains of the fungal genus Trichodermahave been
developed as biocontrol agents against fungal diseases of plants, mainly root diseases.
Various other genera of fungi are used for the control of insect pests.
4.0 The example of Beneficial Microorganisms