Contents: Preface. 1. General microbiology. 2. Microscopy. 3. Sterilization and principles. 4. Culture media. 5. Prokaryotic cell structure. 6. Eukaryotic cell structure. 7. Microbial nutrition and growth. 8. Virology. 9. Bacterial genetics. 10. Soil microbiology. 11. Bio fertilizers. 12. Bio degradation. 13. Food microbiology. 14. Water microbiology. Reference. Subject Index.

Microbiology is relatively a new branch of biology. There are very few books dealing with the basic principles on various aspects of microbiology. This book aims at presenting the many facets of microbial activities which have direct as well as indirect effects on well being of man kind. It also outlines certain microbiological activities in soil and food. This book covers brief basic and relevant information on the subject for the benefit of graduate students studying microbiology.

This book contains 14 chapters covering the fundamentals in different aspects of microbiology pertaining to the degree syllabus in the fields of agriculture, biology and microbiology. Chapter 1 covers the historical perspectives on microbiology and microbial bio diversity. Chapter 2 deals with microscopy. Chapter 3 describes sterilization and principles. Chapter 4 provides the basic information on culture media. Chapter 5 & 6 gives an over view of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell structure respectively.  Chapter 7 & 8 are about microbial nutrition and growth and virology respectively. Bacterial genetics and soil microbiology come under chapter 9 & 10. Chapters 11 & 12 deal with biofertilizers and biodegradation aspects. Chapters 13 & 14 are meant to provide brief discussions on food and water microbiology.

This book not only provides easy and quick notes for the students appearing for examinations but also stimulate interest in those seeking career in microbiology. This book is of immense help to those students hailing from rural background due to easy understanding. (jacket)