Contents: Preface. I. Basic microbiology: 1. Introduction. 2. History of microbiology. 3. Bacterial morphology. 4. Microbial staining. 5. Classification of bacteria. 6. Nutritional types of bacteria. 7. Bacteria; growth. 8. Nutritional requirements for the growth of bacteria. 9. Conditions for growth of bacteria. 10. Microbial control. 11. Microbial metabolism. II. Soil microbiology: 12. Introduction and importance of soil microbiology. 13. Factors affecting microbial activities in soil. 14. Rhizosphere and its importance. 15. Microbial interactions in soil. 16. Nutrient cycling. 17. Nitrogen cycle. 18. Microbial transformation of P and sulphur. 19. Biofertilizers and their importance. III. Industrial microbiology: 20. Definition and scope of industrial microbiology. 21. Historical development of industrial microbiology. 22. Types of fermentation processes. 23. Stages of industrial processes. 24. Industrial production of pharmaceuticals. 25. Industrial production of organic acids. 26. Production of microbial enzymes. 27. Industrial production of aminoacids, solvents and vitamins. 28. Fermented foods - alcoholic beverages. 29. Fermented foods - dairy products. 30. Fermented foods - cereal products and others. 31. Microbes and food - single cell protein. 32. Microbiology of food canning. 33. Biofuels : alcohols, hydrogen and methane. 34. Microbiology of potable water. Selected references.

In this 21 century microbiology is emerging as the key biological science as it has a paramount range of application in agriculture and industrial science that yields more economic returns and sounds more wealthy and green. Microbiology is therefore taught to the students all over the world. Agricultural and industrial microbiology is taught as one of the important subject to the undergraduate and postgraduate students in agricultural universities under their usual curriculum. Therefore, in order to benefit the students, this book is written to discuss the basics of microorganisms and give insight coverage of the various aspects of agricultural and industrial microbiology.

The subject matter in this textbook is basic and more information is presented pertaining to Agricultural and Industrial Microbiology. (jacket)