This book provides a timely review of concepts in plant disease management involving microbial soil suppressiveness and organic amendments. Topics discussed include the impact of suppressive soils on plant pathogens and agricultural productivity, the enhancement of soil suppressiveness through the application of compost and the development of disease suppressive soils through agronomic management. Further chapters describe diseases caused by phytopathogens, such as Pythium, Fusarium and Rhizoctonia, interaction of rhizobia with soil suppressiveness factors, biocontrol of plant parasitic nematodes by fungi and soil suppressive microorganisms.

Silicon, considered to be the second most abundant mineral element in soil, plays an important role in the mineral nutrition of plants. A wide variety of monocot and dicot species have benefited from silicon nutrition, whether direct or indirect, when they are exposed to different types of abiotic and or biotic stresses. Besides the many agronomic and horticultural benefits gained by maintaining adequate levels of this element in the soil and also in the plant tissue, the most notable effect of silicon is the reduction in the intensities of a number of plant diseases caused by biotrophic, hemibiotrophic and necrotrophic plant pathogens in many crops of great economic importance. The aim of this book is to summarize our current understanding of the effects of silicon on plant diseases. The chapters address the dynamics of silicon in soils and plants; the history of silicon in the control of plant diseases; the use of silicon to control soil-borne, seed-borne and foliar diseases in monocots and dicots; the mechanisms involved in the host resistance against infection by plant pathogens mediated by silicon as well as the current knowledge at the omics level, and finally, highlights and prospects for using silicon in the future.

This book provides biological and agricultural insights into snow mold, a fungal disease affecting land plants observed after the melting of snow. Snow mold fungi can cause significant damage to plant growth both in agriculture and in the natural environment, but the interesting ecology and biology described here will capture the attention of scientists in diverse disciplines. The book describes diverse biological phenomena such as cold tolerance of snow mold fungi and plants and their interactions, occurring in an ecologically unique environment under the snow, which maintains constant low temperature and high humidity. Presented here are the unique strategies of snow mold fungi to survive in diverse habitats and the defensive mechanism in plants tolerant to snow mold fungi infection, as well as the conventional control methods using fungicide or cultural practice. Also contained in the book is speculation on the impact of a changing environment on snow mold diseases and their effects on agricultural production.

Thanks to the application of new technologies such as whole-genome sequencing, analysis of transcriptome and proteome of insect pest to agriculture, great progress has been made in understanding the life style, reproduction, evolution and nuisance to crops caused by insect pests such as aphids, planthoppers, and whiteflies. We believe that time has come to summarize progress and to have a glance over the horizon. In this Book experts in the field discuss novel means to increase the different kinds of resistances of plants to better limit the effects of pest, to understand and disturb the hormonal regulation of embryogenesis, molting, metamorphosis and reproduction, to determine the function of insect genes in diverse processes such as metabolism, interaction with plants, virus transmission, development, and adaptation to a changing environment. The knowledge presented here is discussed with the aim of further improving control strategies of insect pestsman";mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-bidi;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language:NL;mso-fareast-language:NL;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA">.

Plant virus and sub-viral pathogens pose severe constraints to the production of wide range of economically important crops worldwide. The crops raised both through true seed and vegetative propagated materials are affected with number of virus and virus-like diseases. The virus may enter into plants through seed planting materials or by vectors. Once the virus is in the field, it multiplies and spreads following definite patterns depending upon the nature of the vector and agro-meteorological conditions. Disease free crops and plants are great economic and social importance in feeding the world's population. Detection of virus and sub-viral agents at initial stages of infection is critical to reduce economic losses. For nearly two decades, ELISA and its variants played a major role in large scale virus testing and also in the production of virus-free planting materials.

Plant diseases, extreme weather caused by climate change, drought and an increase in metals in soil are amongst the major limiting factors of crop production worldwide. They devastate not only food supply but also the economy of a nation. Keeping in view of the global food scarcity, there is, an urgent need to develop crop plants with increased stress tolerance so as to meet the global food demands and to preserve the quality of our planet. In order to do this, it is necessary to understand how plants react and adapt to stress from the genomic and proteomic perspective. Plants adapt to stress conditions by activation of cascades of molecular mechanisms, which result in alterations in gene expression and synthesis of protective proteins/compounds. From the perception of the stimulus to transduction of the signal, followed by an appropriate response, the plants employ a complex network of primary and secondary messenger molecules. Cell signaling is the component of a complex system of communication that directs basic cellular activities and synchronizes cell actions. Cells exercise a large number of noticeably distinct signaling pathways to regulate their activity. In order to contend with different environmental adversities plants have developed a series of mechanisms at the physiological, cellular and molecular level. This two volume set takes an in-depth look at the Stress Signaling in Plants from a uniquely genomic and proteomics perspective. Stress Signaling in Plants offers a comprehensive treatise on the Chapter, covering all of the signaling pathways and mechanisms that have been researched so far. Each chapter provides in-depth explanation of what we currently know of a particular aspect of stress signaling and where we are headed. All authors have currently agreed and abstracts have been complied for the first volume, due out midway through 2012. We aim to have the second volume out at the beginning of 2013.

The goal of this book is to provide essential information on the use of different medicinal plants and their secondary metabolites for the treatment of various fungal diseases affecting human beings, animals and plants. It is divided in four parts: Part I examines the global distribution of plant-derived antifungal compounds, Part II deals with antifungal activities of plant metabolites, Part III includes plants used in Ayurveda and traditional systems for treating fungal diseases, and Part IV discusses the use of plant-derived products to protect plants against fungal diseases.

Plant Virology Protocols: New Approaches to Detect Viruses and Host Responses addresses recent developments in genome analyses and cytological technologies being used today to learn more about plant virology. Opening with chapters covering techniques relevant to the detection of unknown viruses and disease diagnosis, this detailed volume continues with chapters on the utilization of meta-genome sequencing and global gene expression analyses for the search and identification of viruses, as well as the elucidation of host responses to viral infection, construction methods of infectious cDNAs, and methods relevant to plant virus control. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and practical, Plant Virology Protocols: New Approaches to Detect Viruses and Host Responses will be an invaluable guide to researchers working in the field of plant sciences.

This volume describes the various applications of entomopathogenic soil microorganisms in the management and control of the devastating lepidopteran pest. An introduction describes the insecticidal properties of viruses, bacteria, fungi, nematodes and their metabolites, as well as their applications in the context of crop improvement. Subsequent chapters focus on topics such as insecticidal proteins; the role of nucleopolyhedroviruses; Bt toxins and their receptors; control of lepidopterans using entomopathogenic fungi; management of cotton defoliators; and sustainable use of entomopathogenic nematodes and their bacterial symbionts. An overview of culture collections of entomopathogenic microorganisms rounds out the volume.

Recent research has focused attention on the importance of intrinsic antiviral immunity, i.e. immunity mediated by factors that are constitutively expressed in many cells. In this volume, leading experts provide a comprehensive overview of this relatively new and rapidly evolving field. They cover intrinsic proteinaceous antiviral immune effectors, such as the APOBEC3 and TRIM protein families as well as Tetherin and SAMHD1, which were initially discovered by researchers studying HIV-1. Furthermore, the role of RNA interference in antiviral defense in plants and invertebrates, as well as the interplay between microRNAs and viruses in mammalian cells, are analysed. One chapter discusses how intrinsic immunity and viral countermeasures to intrinsic immune effectors drive both pathogen and host evolution, and finally the emerging evidence that DNA damage response proteins restrict infection by DNA viruses is highlighted.

The Fruits and Vegetables manual is a reference manual on diseases which attack fruits (including berries), vegetables, and nuts. The manual identifies various types of diseases which are known to invade these plants located throughout North, Central, and South America. The recordings include diseases caused by fungi, bacteria, viruses, viroids, phytoplasmas, and nematodes. Causal disease agents are described and illustrated in some cases and diseases and disease control measures are also discussed. A manual such as this is never finished since new reports of diseases are continuously reported.

The Trees and Shrubs manual is a reference manual on diseases which attack trees, shrubs, and vines. The manual identifies various types of diseases which are known to invade these plants located throughout North, Central, and South America. The recordings include diseases caused by fungi, bacteria, viruses, viroids, phytoplasmas, and nematodes. Causal disease agents are described and illustrated in some cases and diseases and disease control measures are also discussed. A manual such as this is never finished since new reports of diseases are continuously reported.

The future of agriculture greatly depends on our ability to enhance productivity without sacrificing long-term production potential. The application of microorganisms, such as the diverse bacterial species of plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB), represents an ecologically and economically sustainable strategy. The use of these bio-resources for the enhancement of crop productivity is gaining importance worldwide. "Bacteria in Agrobiology: Disease Management" discusses various aspects of biological control and disease suppression using bacteria. Topics covered include: fluorescent pseudomonads; siderophore-producing PGPR; pseudomonas inoculants; bacillus-based biocontrol agents; bacterial control of root and tuber crop diseases; fungal pathogens of cereals; soil-borne fungal pathogens; peronosporomycete phytopathogens; and plant parasitic nematodes.

G proteins are the key regulators for a wide range of cellular processes in animals and plants. In comparison to animals and yeast, plants have a single Rho-GTPase subfamily called Rho-like GTPases (ROPs). The ROP family of monomeric GTPases has emerged as a versatile and key regulator in plant signal transduction processes. During the past few years' studies on plant RHO-type (ROP) GTPase have generated new insights into their role in diverse processes ranging from cytoskeletal organization, polar growth, development to stress and hormonal responses. Studies have shown that plants have evolved specific regulators and effector molecules. ROP GTPases possess the ability to interact with these multiple regulator and effector molecules that ultimately determines their signaling specificity. Recently, genome wide studies in plants have shown that the Arabidopsis genome encodes 93, and rice has nearly 85 small GTPase homologs. And we have been able to identify four new homologs in the rice genome. Here, we focus on the complete phylogenetic, domain, structural and expression analysis during stress and various developmental processes of small GTPases in plants. The comparison of gene expression patterns of the individual members of the GTPase family may help to reveal potential plant specific signaling mechanisms and their relevance. Also, we are summarizing the role of currently known ROP GTPases and their interacting proteins with brief description, simultaneously, comparing their expression pattern based on microarray data. Overall, we will be discussing the functional genomic perspective of plant Rho like GTPases and their role in regulating several physiological processes such as stress, hormonal, pollen tube, root hair-growth and other developmental responses.

This book is a biography of a scientist who pioneered the development of plant pathology in Australia in the 19th and early 20th century, and was internationally acclaimed. After 20 years as a plant pathologist, he was asked to find the cause and cure of a serious physiological disorder of apples. While the cause eluded him, and everyone else for another 60 years, he again won international gratitude for the improvements he brought to the apple industry. However because he did not find the cause, he was deemed to have failed by his political masters who were malignantly influenced by a jealous rival. The discovery in 2012-2013 of government files covering the period of the bitter pit investigation, from 1911 to 1916; reveal the extent of the unjust criticism of McAlpine while history has vindicated the management recommendations made to reduce bitter-pit losses. The focus on bitter-pit management late in McAlpine's Career also meant that those who value his memory have been less aware of the remarkable achievements of McAlpine in the time before he left Great Britain - the brilliance of his teaching and drawing skills -featured in the early teaching texts for botany and zoology (the latter with his brother) which are now accessible on-line. The objective of this book is to demonstrate that (i) the view that McAlpine had failed in his quest was wrong and seriously unjust (ii) McAlpine achievements extend beyond plant pathology and include significant contributions to the 19th century teaching of botany and zoology, contributions which reinforce the adage - a picture is worth a 1,000 words.

Allelopathy is an ecological phenomenon by which plants release organic chemicals (allelochemicals) into the environment influencing the growth and survival of other organisms. In this book, leading scientists in the field synthesize latest developments in allelopathy research with a special emphasis on its application in sustainable agriculture. The following topics are highlighted: Ecological implications, such as the role of allelopathy during the invasion of alien plant species; regional experiences with the application of allelopathy in agricultural systems and pest management; the use of microscopy for modeling allelopathy; allelopathy and abiotic stress tolerance; host allelopathy and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi; allelopathic interaction with plant nutrition; and the molecular mechanisms of allelopathy. This book is an invaluable source of information for scientists, teachers and advanced students in the fields of plant physiology, agriculture, ecology, environmental sciences, and molecular biology.

Plants use resources, i.e. carbon, nutrients, water and energy, either for growth or to defend themselves from biotic and abiotic stresses. This volume provides a timely understanding of resource allocation and its regulation in plants, linking the molecular with biochemical and physiological-level processes. Ecological scenarios covered include competitors, pathogens, herbivores, mycorrhizae, soil microorganisms, carbon dioxide/ozone regimes, nitrogen and light availabilities. The validity of the "Growth-Differentiation Balance Hypothesis" is examined and novel theoretical concepts and approaches to modelling plant resource allocation are discussed. The results presented can be applied in plant breeding and engineering, as well as in resource-efficient stand management in agriculture and forestry.

Morphological, biological, biochemical and physiological characteristics have been used for the detection, identification and differentiation of fungal pathogens up to species level. Tests based on biological characteristics are less consistent. Immunoassays have been shown to be effective in detecting fungal pathogens present in plants and environmental samples. Development of monoclonal antibody technology has greatly enhanced the sensitivity and specificity of detection, identification and differentiation of fungal species and varieties/strains. Nucleic acid-based techniques involving hybridization with or amplification of unique DNA have provided results rapidly and reliably. Presentation of a large number of protocols is a unique feature of this volume.

Oilseed rape is a major arable crop in both Europe and North America. It is attacked by unique complexes of insect pests still largely controlled through the application of chemical insecticides. Crop management systems for the future must combine sustainability with environmental acceptability to satisfy both social and economic demands. This book, in its 17 chapters each led by a world expert, reviews research progress towards developing integrated pest management systems for the crop that enhance conservation biocontrol. This approach is particularly timely because of the development in Europe of insecticide resistance in the pollen beetle, a major pest of the crop. The past decade has seen considerable progress in our knowledge of the parasitoids and predators that contribute to biocontrol, of their distribution patterns, and their behavioural ecology, both within and without the crop. There is potential for natural enemy conservation through modification of within-field crop husbandry practices, as well as, on the landscape scale, through habitat manipulation to encourage vegetational diversity. This book will prove invaluable as a text for researchers, university teachers, graduate scientists, extension workers and growers involved in integrated pest management.

Bemisia tabaci (Gennedius) has distinguished itself from the more than 1,000 whitefly species in the world by its adaptability, persistence and potential to damage a wide range of agricultural and horticultural crops in all six of the world's inhabited continents. B. tabaci inflicts plant damage through direct feeding, inducement of plant disorders, vectoring of plant viruses and excretion of honeydew. This book collates multiple aspects of the pest ranging from basic to applied science and molecular to landscape levels of investigation. Experts in multiple disciplines provide broad, but detailed summaries and discussion of taxonomy, genetics, anatomy, morphology, physiology, behavior, ecology, symbiotic relationships, virus vector associations and various tactics for integrated management of this pest insect. The book is focused primarily on progress during the last 10-15 years and is directed at workers in the field as well as the informed professional who may not necessarily specialize in whitefly research. The book is unique in providing broad coverage in relatively few chapters by recognized experts that highlight the state-of-the-art in our understanding of this fascinating but troublesome cosmopolitan pest.

The beetle genus Agrilus has over 3000 species which makes it the most numerous in the Animal Kingdom. Many species are serious pests of plants with high invasive potential. Among them, the notoriously known Agrilus planipennis invaded from Asia to North America where it killed tens of millions of ash trees, caused regulatory agencies to enforce quarantines and cost municipalities, property owners, nursery operators and forest products industries tens of millions of dollars. The monograph provides coherent, comprehensive and critical review on all known host plants for more than 680 Agrilus species. All host plants have assigned the confidence index from 0-3 based on the evaluated reliability which eliminates false records. All original and subsequent references for particular plants are cited at each Agrilus species. Data are organized from both, insect and plant viewpoints. Results are analyzed and illustrated by graphs and diagrams. The main impact of the monograph is seen in entomology, phytopathology, forestry, agriculture ecology and biocontrol.

This book reviews developments in the molecular biology of plant-nematode interactions that have been driven by the application of genomics tools. The book will be of interest to postgraduate students and to researchers with an interest in plant nematology and/or plant pathology more generally. A series of introductory chapters provide a biological context for the detailed reviews of all areas of plant-nematode interactions that follow and ensure that the bulk of the book is accessible to the non-specialist. A final section aims to show how these fundamental studies have provided outputs of practical relevance.

Experience shows that biotic stresses occur with different levels of intensity in nearly all agricultural areas around the world. The occurrence of insects, weeds and diseases caused by fungi, bacteria or viruses may not be relevant in a specific year but they usually harm yield in most years. Global warming has shifted the paradigm of biotic stresses in most growing areas, especially in the tropical countries, sparking intense discussions in scientific forums. This book was written with the idea of collecting in a single publication the most recent advances and discoveries concerning breeding for biotic stresses, covering all major classes of biotic challenges to agriculture and food production. Accordingly, it presents the state-of-the-art in plant stresses caused by all microorganisms, weeds and insects and how to breed for them. Complementing Plant Breeding for Abiotic Stress Tolerance, this book was written for scientists and students interested in learning how to breed for biotic stress scenarios, allowing them to develop a greater understanding of the basic mechanisms of resistance to biotic stresses and develop resistant cultivars.

Microbial plant pathogens causing qualitative and quantitative losses in all corps are present not only in the infected plants, but also in the environmental comprising of soil, water and air. The vectors present in the environment spread the microbial pathogens to short and/or long distances. Detection of microbial pathogens rapidly and reliably by employing suitable sensitive applicable for different ecosystems. The pathogens have to be identified precisely and differentiated and quantified to plan appropriate short- and long-term strategies to contain the incidence and spread of diseases induced by them. This book aims to present all relevant and latest information on the detection techniques based on the biological, biochemical, immunological and nucleic acid characteristics of microbial pathogens presents in the host plants, as well as in the natural substrates that support the survival and perpetuation of the pathogens.