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Books > Science & Mathematics > Biology, life sciences > Botany & plant sciences > Plant pathology & diseases
The regulation of the phosphorylation/dephosphorylation process,
resulting in "cellular switches" that monitor normal plant
physiology, growth and development, has immense potential in crop
systems. With much of the information in the nascent stages, coming
largely from Arabidopsis and rice particularly, the use of cell
biology, genetic screens, biochemical approaches aided by an omics
approach should help unravel the detail functional information
available about signaling pathways in plants. The regulation could
be exploited to develop crop varieties better equipped to handle
changing environments and enhance agricultural productivity. In the
post-genomic era, one of the major challenges is investigation and
understanding of multiple genes and gene families regulating a
particular physiological and developmental aspect of plant life
cycle. One of the important physiological processes is regulation
of stress response, which leads to adaptation or adjustment in
response to adverse stimuli. With the holistic understanding of the
signaling pathways involving phosphatases, one gene family or
multiple genes or gene families, plant biologist can lay a
foundation for designing and generating future crops, which can
withstand the higher degree of environmental stresses. Especially
abiotic stresses, which are the major cause of crop loss throughout
the world without losing crop yield and productivity. This book
incorporates the contributions from leading plant biologists in the
field of stress-mediated dephosphorylation by phosphatases as an
important task to elucidate the aspects of stress signaling by
functional genomic approaches.
Invasive species have inspired concern for many reasons, including
economic and environmental impacts in specific jurisdictions within
particular countries. However, it is apparent that for some
invasive plant species, political borders offer only weak barriers
because these species have succeeded in invading many countries,
emerging as threats at a global level. With this level of threat, a
number of books on invasive plants and invasive species in general
have been published in recent years, but none explicitly provides
"global" coverage, perhaps because it is only recently that the
full geographical, economic and environmental implications of
widespread spread and adaptive nature of these particular invasive
plants have been recognized. We plan to make this volume unique by
profiling plant invasions in explicitly geographical contexts; on
the world continents (Chapters 5-11), as well as islands (Chapter
12) and mountains (Chapter 13). This global approach is supported
by an overview of invasion biology and recent advances (Chapter 1)
and how different communities differ in invasibility (Chapter 2).
Global factors influencing invasion are introduced in Chapter 3
(globalized trade) and Chapter 4 (climate change). Key species are
profiled through geographic treatments, continent by continent
(Chapters 5-11), and for islands (Chapter 12) and mountains
(Chapter 13). The impact of invasive plants is highlighted in
Chapter 14, both in biotic and economic terms, partly to counter
the tendency for the young field of invasion biology to rely too
much on anecdotal evidence. This chapters is also designed to bring
home the message that these are serious problems that must be dealt
with, as covered in the subsequent chapters. The book concludes
with three chapters casting light on solutions to the many problems
described in the rest of the volume. Chapter 15 features new,
innovative technologies that are being developed to monitor and
manage invasive plants, and Chapter 16 presents comprehensive
strategies for public education and implementation of management on
local and global scales. Chapter 17 describes different future
scenarios depending on current trends in plant invasion and its
management, just as climate change predictions employ various
scenarios to project the future. The future is very much up to us,
as humanity grapples with the question of how best to strategically
meet the problems of global invasive plant problems that we
ourselves have created that is further challenged by a changing
climate. We are confident that this book will be of interest to
invasion biologists, resource managers, and the legion of others
who must deal with these invasive plants across the globe on a
daily basis.
This book illustrates the currently available strategies for
managing phytonematodes. It discusses the latest findings on
plant-pathogen-microbiome interactions and their impacts on
ecosystems, and provides extensive information on the application
of microorganisms in the sustainable management of phytonematodes.
This is followed by an in-depth discussion of the application of
potential strains of biocontrol fungi, endophytes and actinomycetes
to enhance plants' ability to fend off phytonematode attacks,
leading to improved plant health. In conclusion, the book addresses
new aspects like the biofabrication of nanoparticles and their
application in plant disease management, and presents an extensive
list for further reading.
Agriculture faces many challenges to fulfil the growing demand for
sustainable food production and ensure high-quality nutrition for a
rapidly growing population. To guarantee adequate food production,
it is necessary to increase the yield per area of arable land. A
method for achieving this goal has been the application of growth
regulators to modulate plant growth. Plant growth regulators (PGRs)
are substances in specific formulations which, when applied to
plants or seeds, have the capacity to promote, inhibit, or modify
physiological traits, development and/or stress responses. They
maintain proper balance between source and sink for enhancing crop
yield. PGRs are used to maximize productivity and quality, improve
consistency in production, and overcome genetic and abiotic
limitations to plant productivity. Suitable PGRs include hormones
such as cytokinins and auxins, and hormone-like compounds such as
mepiquat chloride and paclobutrazol. The use of PGRs in mainstream
agriculture has steadily increased within the last 20 years as
their benefits have become better understood by growers.
Unfortunately, the growth of the PGR market may be constrained by a
lack of innovation at a time when an increase in demand for new
products will require steady innovation and discovery of novel,
cost-competitive, specific, and effective PGRs. A plant
bio-stimulant is any substance or microorganism applied to plants
with the aim to enhance nutrition efficiency, abiotic stress
tolerance and/or crop quality traits, regardless of its nutrients
content. Apart from traditional PGRs, which are mostly plant
hormones, there are a number of substances/molecules such as nitric
oxide, methyl jasmonate, brassinosteroids, seaweed extracts,
strigolactones, plant growth promoting rhizobacteria etc. which act
as PGRs. These novel PGRs or bio-stimulants have been reported to
play important roles in stress responses and adaptation. They can
protect plants against various stresses, including water deficit,
chilling and high temperatures, salinity and flooding. This book
includes chapters ranging from sensing and signalling in plants to
translational research. In addition, the cross-talk operative in
plants in response to varied signals of biotic and abiotic nature
is also presented. Ultimately the objective of this book is to
present the current scenario and the future plan of action for the
management of stresses through traditional as well as novel PGRs.
We believe that this book will initiate and introduce readers to
state-of-the-art developments and trends in this field of study.
Nanotechnology progresses its concerts and suitability by improving
its effectiveness, security and also reducing the impact and risk.
Various chapters in this book are written by eminent scientists and
prominent researchers in the field of nanotechnology across the
world. This book is focused to put emerging techniques forward
using nanoparticles for safe and nutritional food production,
protecting crops from pests, increasing nutritional value and
providing solutions for various environmental issues. The outcome
of this book creates a path for wide usage of nanoparticles in
food, agriculture and the environment fields. This book has clear
and simple illustrations, tables and case studies to understand the
content even by non-experts. This book especially deals with the
nanotechnology for controlling plant pathogens, food packaging and
preservation, agricultural productivity, waste water treatment and
bioenergy production. Hence, this book can be adopted and used by
many researchers and academicians in the fields of food,
agriculture, environment and nanotechnology for catering the needs
of sustainable future. The salient features of this book are *
Describes nanotechnology as an interdisciplinary and emerging field
in life sciences* Useful for researchers in the cutting edge life
science related fields of nanoscience, nanobiology and
nanotechnology* Deal with various problems in food, agriculture and
environmental sector for sustainable solutions through the
application of nanotechnology* Supported with illustrations in
color, tables and case studies (wherever applicable), and *
Contributed and well written by nanotechnology experts from across
various disciplines
Global industrial growth has resulted in numerous pollutants being
introduced into the environment. It has additionally caused
decreased water availability for agricultural activity in
developing countries, which, in turn, has compelled farmers to use
wastewater irrigation. In advanced agricultural systems, farmers
are adapting various strategies to achieve a higher yield and thus
sustain crop productivity. Consequent to the introduction of
contaminants in the environment, soil pollutants have become a
critical issue. Selection of disease-resistant, high-yielding crop
varieties, and extensive fertilizer applications are quite common
among farming communities. This book provides insight into
environmental pollutants with special reference to their
interference with plant nutrition. It additionally discusses the
physiological aspects of plant nutrition. This book enhances
current knowledge of the effects of pollutants on plant growth and
physiology.
This book addresses the impact of important climatic changes on
plant pests (including weeds, diseases and insect pests), and their
interactions with crop plants. Anthropogenic activities have
seriously impacted the global climate. As a result, carbon dioxide
(CO2) and temperature levels of the earth are on a continuous rise.
The global temperature is expected to increase by a 3 DegreesC or
more by the end of this century. The CO2 concentration was below
300 parts per million (ppm) before the start of the industrial era;
however, recently it has exceeded 400 ppm. This is highest ever in
human history. Other than global warming and elevated CO2
concentrations, anthropogenic activities have also disturbed the
global water cycle, ultimately, impacting the quantity and
distribution of rainfall. This has resulted in drought conditions
in many parts of the world. Global warming, elevated CO2
concentration and drought are considered the most important recent
climatic changes that are impacting global ecosystems and human
societies. Among other impacts, the effects of climatic changes on
pests, pest-crop interactions and pest control are important with
relevance to global food security, and hence require immediate
attention by plant scientists. This book discusses innovative and
the most effective pest control methods under an environment of
changing climate and elaborates on the impact of drought on plant
pests and their control.
Abiotic and biotic stress factors, including drought, salinity,
waterlog, temperature extremes, mineral nutrients, heavy metals,
plant diseases, nematodes, viruses, and diseases, adversely affect
growth as well as yield of crop plants worldwide. Plant
growth-promoting microorganisms (PGPM) are receiving increasing
attention from agronomists and environmentalists as candidates to
develop an effective, eco-friendly, and sustainable alternative to
conventional agricultural (e.g., chemical fertilizers and
pesticide) and remediation (e.g., chelators-enhanced
phytoremediation) methods employed to deal with climate
change-induced stresses. Recent studies have shown that plant
growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB), rhizobia, arbuscular mycorrhizal
fungi (AMF), cyanobacteria have great potentials in the management
of various agricultural and environmental problems. This book
provides current research of biofertilizers and the role of
microorganisms in plant health, with specific emphasis on the
mitigating strategies to combat plant stresses.
In this book, the authors gather and present topical research in
the study of aquatic plants and plant disease. Topics discussed
include the diagnosis and treatment of Sharka disease; the biology
of the aquatic plant Wolffia arrhiza (Lemnaceae); the bioactive
metabolites of plant herbivores and species immunity for preventing
infectious diseases in plants, animals and humans.
Selenium plays a significant role in preventing certain types of
cancer and cardiovascular diseases. The level of Selenium in the
human body depends on its concentration in food. In turn, the
content in vegetable crops is a function of the soil-plant system.
There are many countries in the world with low Selenium content in
the soil. The average daily human intake is thus limited through
food chain. Analysis of Selenium status suggests that fortification
of the soil substrate with Sodium Selenate, and foliar application
to agricultural crops are both effective means of Selenium
enrichment. Our intention for this publication is to present the
possibilities of augmenting Selenium content by biofortification of
soils and plants through differentiated nutrition. In the first
part of the monograph, the results of Selenium supplementation in
model vegetation experiments are presented. The next part of the
monograph presents the results of foliar supplementation of
Selenium in field conditions. This book is an outstanding reference
source for plant breeders and researchers engaged in
biofortification of horticulture crops. It is also beneficial to
agricultural companies and other stakeholders.
The population of the world continues to increase at an alarming
rate. The trouble linked with overpopulation ranges from food and
water scarcity to inadequacy of space for organisms. Overpopulation
is also linked with several other demographic hazards, for
instance, population blooming will not only result in exhaustion of
natural repositories, but it will also induce intense pressure on
the world economy. Today nanotechnology is often discussed as a key
discipline of research but it has positive and negative aspects.
Also, due to industrialization and ever-increasing population,
nano-pollution has been an emerging topic among scientists for
investigation and debate. Nanotechnology measures any substance on
a macromolecular scale, molecular scale, and even atomic scale.
More importantly, nanotechnology deals with the manipulation and
control of any matter at the dimension of a single nanometer.
Nanotechnology and nanoparticles (NPs) play important roles in
sustainable development and environmental challenges as well. NPs
possess both harmful and beneficial effects on the environment and
its harboring components, such as microbes, plants, and humans.
There are many beneficial impacts exerted by nanoparticles,
however, including their role in the management of waste water and
soil treatment, cosmetics, food packaging, agriculture,
biomedicines, pharmaceuticals, renewable energies, and
environmental remedies. Conversely, NPs also show some toxic
effects on microbes, plants, as well as human beings. It has been
reported that use of nanotechnological products leads to the more
accumulation of NPs in soil and aquatic ecosystems, which may be
detrimental for living organisms. Further, toxic effects of NPs on
microbes, invertebrates, and aquatic organisms including algae, has
been measured. Scientists have also reported on the negative impact
of NPs on plants by discussing the delivery of NPs in plants.
Additionally, scientists have also showed that NPs interact with
plant cells, which results in alterations in growth, biological
function, gene expression, and development. Thus, there has been
much investigated and reported on NPs and plant interactions in the
last decade. This book discusses the most recent work on NPs and
plant interaction, which should be useful for scientists working in
nanotechnology across a wide variety of disciplines.
Polyphagous pests are primarily agricultural pests that feed on
economically important agricultural and horticultural crops of wide
taxonomic diversity across the globe. They cause immense damage
across different crop varieties owing to their generalist and
voracious food habits. The advent of mono-crop culture in a huge
area and the massive use of pesticides post green revolution have
massively increased pest outbreaks all over the world. The Middle
Eastern countries, African continent and even the Indian
subcontinent is increasingly facing resurgences of polyphagus
pests. This book compiles an inclusive account of polyphagous
pests. It covers locusts, termites, aphids, whiteflies, mealybugs,
scale insects, gram pod borer, fall armyworm, thrips, mites and
rodents. The book discusses mode of spread, enormity of losses
caused, mechanism of action, and also means to reduce the crop
losses. It brings together a unique perspective for researchers to
learn effective pest management practices across all crops. This
book is a reference guide to researchers and also useful for
academicians and students of entomology.
This book provides a detailed review of many different aspects of
pathogens, from the effects of single base pair mutations to
large-scale control options, bringing into a single volume over 100
years of findings from thousands of researchers worldwide. Diseases
caused by soft rot Pectobacteriaceae (SRP) are a major cause of
loss to crop, vegetables and ornamental plants worldwide, and have
been found on all continents except Antarctica. While different
aspects of the SRP have appeared in other books on plant disease,
no book, until now, has been dedicated solely to them.
Due to the huge quantity and diverse nature of their metabolic
pathways, fungi have great potential to be used for the production
of different biofuels such as bioethanol, biobutanol, and
biodiesel. This book presents recent advances, as well as
challenges and promises, of fungal applications in biofuel
production, subsequently discussing plant pathogenic fungi for
bioethanol and biodiesel production, including their mechanisms of
action. Additionally, this book reviews biofuel production using
plant endophytic fungi, wood-rotting fungi, fungal biocontrol
agents, and gut fungi, and it investigates highly efficient fungi
for biofuel production and process design in fungal-based biofuel
production systems. Finally, life cycle assessment of fungal-based
biofuel production systems are discussed in this volume.
The book will address selected topics in postharvest pathology
aiming at highlighting recent development in the science,
technology and control strategies of postharvest diseases to reduce
losses and enhance safety of harvested agricultural products.
Topics will include: 1) Introduction: Perspectives and challenges
in postharvest pathology 2) Elucidating host-pathogen interactions
3) Next generation technologies for management and detection of
postharvest pathogens 4) Food safety in postharvest pathology 5)
Alternative postharvest diseases control strategies 6) Chemical
control of postharvest diseases
This book provides a comprehensive monograph of the family
Humiraceae. It includes information on economic botany,
conservation, phylogenetic relationships, taxonomic history,
ecology, cytology, anatomy, and phytochemistry, among other topics.
This volume is illustrated with line drawings, black and white
photographs, and distribution maps. It was written by the
world-leading authority on this plant group and contains a total of
eight genera, 65 species, and 15 infraspecific taxa, with two new
species described. This work is volume 123 in the Flora Neotropica
book series (Lawrence M. Kelly, Editor-in-Chief). Flora Neotropica
volumes provide taxonomic treatments of plant groups or families
growing in the Americas between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic
of Capricorn.
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