Paper II
Physiology
Absorption and translocation of water
Transpiration and stomatal behaviour
Absorption and uptake of Ions, Donnans equilibrium
Role of micronutrients in plant growth
Solute transport and photoassimilate translocation uptake, transport and translocation of water, ions, solutes and macromolecules from soil, through cells, across membranes, through xylem and phloem; transpiration; mechanisms of loading and unloading of photoassimilates
Respiration (Glycolysis, pentose phosphate shunt, structure and role of mitochondria, Krebs cycle, Oxidative phosphorylation, Photorespiration, Respiratory quotient, Fermentation, Pasteur effect Factors affecting)
Photosynthesis: - light and dark reaction, Red drop, Emerson effect, Two pigment systems, Mechanism of Hydrogen transfer, Calvin cycle, Enzymes of CO2 reduction, Hatch a slack cycle C4 cycle, CAM Pathway, Factors affecting photosynthesis, Pigments
The enzymes: Nomenclature and classification, structure and composition, Mode of enzyme action, Factors affecting
Nitrogen Metabolism and biosynthesis of proteins, Nitrogen fixation, Nitrogen cycle, (Physical and biological) Nitrogen assimilation Amino acid, metabolism, Biosynthesis of proteins
Plant hormones - Biosynthesis, storage, breakdown and transport; physiological effects and mechanisms of action. Auxins, Gibberellins, Cytokinins, Abscissic acid (General account)
Sensory photobiology - Structure, function and mechanisms of action of phytochromes, cryptochromes and phototropins; stomatal movement; photoperiodism and biological clocks
Stress physiology Responses of plants to biotic (pathogen and insects) and abiotic (water, temperature and salt) stresses. Light stress and Temperature stress- Injury and resistance
Plant movements: Hydrotropism, Geotropism, Phototropism, Thigmotropism
Anatomy and Cell Biology
Ultra structure of the cell and cell organelles along with their functions
Cell wall structure
Tissue and Tissue systems, Complex tissue (Xylem and Phloem)
Root development: lateral roots; root hairs; root-microbe interaction. Leaf fall, Root stem transition
Meristems Shoot and root apices
Normal and Anamalous Secondary growth, Abnormal behavior of normal cambium, Accessory cambium formation and its activity, Abnormal secondary growth in fleshy roots
Types of stele Stelar growth
Nodal Anatomy Unilacunar, Trilacunar, Multilacunar
Algae (Phycology)
Introduction and general classification of Algae
Criteria for the classification
Thallus organization in Algae
Economic importance of Algae
General characters, structure, Reproduction, pigments, phylogeny, life cycles etc., of main groups in Algae with reference to Genera Given:
(a) Cyanophyceae (Nostoc, Scytonema, Oscillatoria).
(b) Chlorophyceae (Chlamydomonas, Volvox, Cladeopora, Oedogonium, Coleochaete, Chara).
(c) Bacillariaphyceae General Account.
(d) Xanthophyceae Vautheria]
(e) Phaeophyceae (Ectocarpus, Laminaria)
(f) Rhedophyceae (Polysiphonia, Gracillaria)
Fungi (Mycology):
General Characters of fungi. Occurrence and thallus structure of fungi. Nutritional aspects of Fungi (Saprophytism, parasitism, Symbiosis). Modes of reproduction (Sexual and Asexual). Life cycle in fungi. Criteria for classification of fungi. Classificatory systems
General characters, morphology, reproduction, phylogeny, affinities etc., of the following : main groups with special
reference to Genera given below:
a) Mytomycetes (stemonites).
b) Plasmodiophoromycetes (Plasmodiphora).
c) Mastigormycotina (Saprolegnia, Phytopthera).
d) Zygomycotina (Mucor).
e) Ascomycotina (Taphnina Eurotium, Erysiphe, Pleospora Neuropora).
f) Basidiomycotina (Puccinia, Agaricus).
g) Deuteromycotina (Cercospora, Colletotrichum, Phoma).
3. Economic importance of Fungi.
Bryophyta:
General characters of Bryophyta
Sporophyte evolution in Bryophytes
Classification of Bryophytes
General account of the following main groups.
a) Hepaticopsida, (b) Anthoceratopsida, (c) Bryopsida
Structure, reproduction and systematics of the following genera:
a) Marchantia, (b) Anthoceros, (c) Sphagmum (d) Funaria.
Pteridophyta:
General characters of pteridophytes
Classification of pteridophytes
General characters of the following main groups:
a) Psilopsida; b) Lycopsida; c) Sphenopsida (Eusporangiate and Leptosporangiates)
Morphology, anatomy, reproduction and affinities of the following genera:
a) Psilotum; b) Lycopodium; c) Selaginella; d) Ophioglostum; e) Marsilea; f) Pteris.
Palaeobotany:
Fossil pteridophytes
Origin and evolution of land plants
Homospory, Heterospory and Origin of Seed
Telome theory and origin of sporophyte
General account of the following fossil Gymnosperms.
a) Pteridosperms; b) Bennittitales; c) Cordaitales;
d) Pentoxylales.
Gymnosperms:
Gymnosperms
Comparative account of morphology, life history, Affinities etc. of the following:
a) Cycadophyta Cycas, Zarnia,
b) Coniferophyta Pinus.
c) Ginkgophyta Gintgo.
d) Chlamydospermatophyta: Ephedra, Welwetschia, Gnetum
Classification of Gymnosperms.
Taxonomy of Angiosperms:
Morphology: Types of Leaf and phyllotaxy
Systems of classification: - Hutchinson, Takhtajan, Bessey, Engler and Prantl, Bentham and Hooker
Principles of taxonomy:- Criteria of classification, categories of classification, Diversity of Phyletic concepts
International code of Botanical nomenclature, principles, Typification, Citation and authority
Recent trends in Taxonomy:
a) Biosystematics; b) Chemataxonomy; c) Serodiagnostic test and classification, d) Numerical taxonomy
Study of the following families with reference to their characterstics, economic importance, attributes etc.,
a) Ranuculacease, b) Caryophyllaceae, c) Sterculiaceae,
d) Sapotaceae, e) Malvaceae, f) Tiliacee, g) Rubiaceae,
h) Compositae, i) Apocynaceae, j) Asclepiadaceae,
k) Boraginaceae, l) Convolvulaceae, m) Solanaceae,
n) Euphorbiaceae, o) Poaceae.
Embryology:
Concept of primitive flower
Development of anther and ovule
General account of Embryosac and types of Embryo
Structure of microsporangium and male gametophyte
Structure of ovule and its types
Structure of megasporangium and female gametophyte.
Monosporic, Bisporic, Tetrasporic (Fritillaria type)
Pollination in Salvia and Calotropis
Fertilization
Endosperm morphology and types, Types and functions of Endosperms
Polyembryony and apomixis
Palynology : Exine ornamentation, concept of palynogram, Application of Palynology in Taxonomy, coal, oil exploration and forensic science, Germination of pollen tube and factors affecting pollen germination
Embryo development in Dicotyledons, Embryo development in Monocotyledons
Apomixis
Cytology, Genetics and Evolution:
Mitosis and Meiosis
Chromosome (Morphology, Structures importance etc.)
Concept of gene, laws of inheritance gene action
Mendelian genetics (Monohybrid, Dihybrid ratio)
Gene interactions (Complementary and Supplementary genes)
Cytoplasmic inheritance: (Mirabilis, male sterility in maize)
Sex determination in plants
Genetic code
Linkage and crossing over
Parasexuality
General account of Mutations
Polyploidy and its role in crop improvement
Origin of life
General account and techniques of gene mapping
DNA and RNA Composition and Structure, DNA sequencing, Watson and Cricks model of DNA, Types of RNA, DNA Replication, Protein Synthesis
Regulation of gene expression in prokaryotes Operon concept
Genetics Structural heterozygote, complex translocations of heterozygote
Transposable elements
Mitochondria and chloroplast genome
Ecology and Phytogeography:
Edaphic factors: Composition of soil, origin and development of soil, soil moisture, soil profile, soil erosion and soil conservation
Biological clock
Remote sensing
Heterotrophic nutrition in plants
Ecological adaptation in Hydrophytes and Xerophytes
Ecosystem: - Concept, biotic and abiotic components, ecological pyramids, productivity
Geo-chemical cycles. (Carbon, Nitrogen, Sulphur, Phosphorous cycles)
Plant succession Xerosere and Hydrosere
Floristic regions of the world
Floristic zones of India.
Bacteria and Viruses:
General Account of viruses. Definition, Characterisation, Chemistry, Ultrasturcture, Composition, replication, Bacteriaphages, transmission of plant viruses, Importance
General account of bacteria Characteristics, shape, ultrastructure of the cell, nutrition, reproduction, classification and importance.
Plant Pathology:
Disease symptoms produced by Bacteria, Fungi, and Viruses
A general account of important diseases of crop plants and their control:
a) Late blight of potato f) Leaf spot of rice.
b) Smuts (Wheat, Jowar) g) Citrus cancer
c) Rust of wheat h) Bacterial blight of paddy.
d) Leaf spot of groundnut. i) Angular leaf spot of cotton.
e) Paddy blast. j) Mosaic of Tobacco
Mycoplasma
Control of plant diseases (A general account)
Economic Botany
A brief introduction of medicinal plants and their chief constituents: Turmeric, Ephedra, Adhatoda,Terminalia chebula, Tinospora, Isaphgul
Firewood species:
a. Prosopis spp.
b. Holoptelia integrifolia
c. Zizyphus jujuba
d. Acacia nilotica.
e. Salvadora persica
A concise account of Tobacco
Cultivation, economic importance, systematic position and morphology, climate and uses of the following plants.
Rice, Sugarcane, Coffee, Rauwolfia, Wheat, Groundnut, Tea, Pigeon pea, Jowar, Sun flower, Jute, Pearl millet, Cotton, Castor, Cardamom, Maize, Bajra, Tuver, Sesamum, Coir
Botanical name, family, useful part, chemical constituents and uses:
Condiments and Spices Cardamom, Chilies
Medicinal and Aromatic plants: Lemon grass, Cumin
General account of dyes: Henna, Indigofera, Butea
Habit, Habitat, Family, Botanical name, Useful parts and uses of the following Timber species:
i.Tectona grandis
ii.Dalbergia sissoo
iii.Gmelina arborea
iv.Madhuca indica
v.Azadirachta indica
Habit, Habitat, Family, Botanical name, Useful parts and uses of the following Essential oils Sandalwood, Eucalyptus, Jasmine, Kewra.
A general account of organic manure.
Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering
Application of Biotechnology in health and agriculture: Human insulin and vaccine production, gene therapy; Genetically modified organisms-BT crops; Transgenic Organisms; Artificial Seeds from plants, Edible Vaccines from plants
Methods of gene transfer in plants: Micro ejection, electroporation, particle gun and Agrobacterium-mediated gene transfer
Secondary plant products with special reference to alkaloids
Cryopreservation and Germplasm storage
Recent Aspects of Botany
Modern techniques
a) Electron microscopy, e) Electrophoresis
b) Phase contrast microscopy f) The tracer technique
c) Spectro photometry g) Auto radiography
d) Chromatography h) Sero-diagnostic methods.
Genetic engineering.
Plant tissue culture.
Alternative sources of Energy.
Social forestry.
Microorganisms as tools in understanding biological systems.
Environmental pollution (Water, soil, air) health hazards and control.
EthnoBotnay
Silviculture
General Principles, Systems, Natural and Artificial regeneration of Forest, Tree Physiology and Breeding, Silviculture for Mangroves and Shoreline Vegetation, Traditional and recent advances
Recent Advancements and development in the field of research on above topics