In the summer of 1997 some twelve lecturers and sixty students met for ten days in Budapest Hungary in a NATO Advanced Studies Institute (ASI) to consider "New Scientific and Technical Aspects of Verification of the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention." In many ways the meeting was ahead of its time. The Ad Hoc Group was only then about to move to the discussion of a rolling text of the Protocol to the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC). It had been mandated to negotiate the Protocol by the Special Conference which had considered the work of the VEREX process that had taken place following the 1991 Third Review Conference of the Convention. Now, in late 1999, after much further negotiation of the text of the Protocol we are moving towards the endgame of the negotiations. Nevertheless, the scientific and technical issues discussed in the ASI in Hungary continue to be of direct relevance to the verification of the Convention and will continue to be relevant as the eventual Protocol moves from agreement through a Preparatory Commission stage and into full implementation over the next several years. The papers in this volume are much as they were presented in Budapest both in order of presentation and in content. They were designed by the ASI co-directors, Professor Graham Pearson and Ambassador Tibor Toth (Chairman of the Ad Hoc Group) to provide an integrated overview and in-depth analysis of the issues at stake.

Major Fungal Diseases of Rice: Recent Advances provides a comprehensive overview of latest research in rice fungal pathology. There are 25 chapters dealing with the blast, sheath blight, sheath rot, brown spot and scald diseases of rice as well as some broader topics. The book covers recent progress in a number of key fundamental aspects such as pathogenicity, pathogen diversity, molecular characterisation, gene cloning, genetics of host resistance and host-pathogen interactions. It also presents the current status and perspectives in strategic and applied areas such as epidemiology, resistance breeding, biological control, induced resistance, seed-borne diseases and quarantine issues and disease management strategies. This book is essential for rice researchers, pathologists and breeders and will also be suitable for cereal and plant pathologists in general, as there is an extensive coverage of recent research advances in rice blast, a model system in plant pathology.

The fungus Sclerotinia has always been a fancy and interesting subject of research both for the mycologists and pathologists. More than 250 species of the fungus have been reported in different host plants all over the world that cause heavy economic losses. It was a challenge to discover weak links in the disease cycle to manage Sclerotinia diseases of large number of crops. For researchers and s- dents, it has been a matter of concern, how to access voluminous literature on Sclerotinia scattered in different journals, reviews, proceedings of symposia, workshops, books, abstracts etc. to get a comprehensive picture. With the pub- cation of book on 'Sclerotinia', it has now become quite clear that now only three species of Sclerotinia viz. , S. sclerotiorum, S. minor and S. trifoliorum are valid. The authors have made an excellent attempt to compile all the available infor- tion on various aspects of the fungus Sclerotinia. The information generated so far has been presented in different chapters. After introducing the subject various aspects viz. , the diseases, symptomatology, disease assessment, its distribution, economic importance, the pathogen, its taxonomy, nomenclature, reproduction, reproductive structures with fine details, variability, perpetuation, infection and pathogenesis, biochemical, molecular and physiological aspects of host-pathogen interaction, seed infection, disease cycle, epidemiology and forecasting, host resistance with sources of resistance, mechanism of resistance and other mana- ment strategies have been covered.

The rhizosphere is a very complex environment in which the effects of the plant on soil microorganisms and the effects of the microorganisms on the plant are interacting and are interdependent. Plant root exudates and breakdownproducts attract microbes and feed them and, in turn, the plants often bene't from the microbes. Interactions among microorg- ismsandplantrootsareessentialfornutritionalrequirementsoftheplant. Plant growth, development and productivity are largely dependent on the soil environment in the root region rhizosphere. The new techniques of studying the rhizosphere enables us to get a much better understanding of the dynamics of the rhizosphere population, such rhizosphere studies beingofinteresttoagriculturists, soilbiologists, chemists, microbiologists andmolecularbiologists. The rhizosphere microbes in?uence the root environment in several ways. They may change the oxidation-reduction potential, in?uence the availabilityofmoistureandnutrients, producegrowthinhibitingorgrowth promoting substances in the form of exudates, provide competition and possiblyinducemanyothereffects.Mycorrhizalassociationsarebene?cial in mineral uptake and in increasing root surface area for effective ion absorption. Antagonism, competitionandsynergisminsoilandtherhizoplane(r- zosphere) are the most important microbial interactions to consider in the study of rhizosphere biology. With the growing information on the production of growth regulators, competitiveness of the microbes in the rhizosphere, microsymbionts, and other factors, their effect upon plant growth will become more evident. Experiments on the introduction of microbes or their products in the rhizosphere will help to improve our understandingofthebiologyoftherhizosp

PGPR have gained world wide importance and acceptance for agricultural benefits. These microorganisms are the potential tools for sustainable agriculture and the trend for the future. Scientific researches involve multidisciplinary approaches to understand adaptation of PGPR to the rhizosphere, mechanisms of root colonization, effects on plant physiology and growth, biofertilization, induced systemic resistance, biocontrol of plant pathogens, production of determinants etc. Biodiversity of PGPR and mechanisms of action for the different groups: diazotrophs, bacilli, pseudomonads, and rhizobia are shown. Effects of physical, chemical and biological factors on root colonization and the proteomics perspective on biocontrol and plant defence mechanism is discussed. Visualization of interactions of pathogens and biocontrol agents on plant roots using autofluorescent protein markers has provided more understanding of biocontrol process. Commercial formulations and field applications of PGPR are detailed.

Recent years have brought an upsurge of interest in the study of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, partly due to the realization that the effective utilization of these symbiotic soil fungi is likely to be essential in sustainable agriculture. Impressive progress has been made during the last decade in the study of this symbiosis largely as a result of increasing exploitation of molecular tools. Although early emphasis was placed on the use of molecular tools to study physiological processes triggered by the symbiosis, such as expression of symbiosis-specific polypeptides and modulation of host defences, other applications await. It was obvious to us that gathering leaders in the field to summarize these topics and point out research needs was necessary if we were to understand the physiology and function of AM fungi at a molecular level. In addition, we have taken the opportunity to present these reviews in a logical sequence of topics ranging from the initiation of the life cycle of the fungus to its functions in plant growth and in the below ground ecosystem. It was a challenge to limit this flood of information to the confines of one text. This is a very exciting time for mycorrhiza biologists and it is our hope that some of this excitement is conveyed to our readers.

Ascochyta blights consistently affect large areas of grain legume production (pea, lentil, chickpea and faba bean) in all countries where they are cultivated. These diseases are capable of causing large yield losses under conducive environmental conditions. This book considers the state of the art by taking a comparative approach of Ascochyta blight diseases of cool season food and feed legumes. Topics considered are pathogen diversity, legume genetics and breeding, and integrated disease management.

Reprinted from European Journal of Plant Pathology, Volume 119, No. 1, 2007

The main theme of the book is sustainable disease management in a European context. Some of the questions addressed are: How does society benefit from plant pathology research? How can new molecular approaches solve relevant problems in disease management? What other fields can we exploit in plant pathology research? What challenges are associated with free trade across the new borders? How can we contribute to solving problems of developing countries? How does plant pathology contribute to food quality and safety? How does globalization/internationalization affect teaching and extension in plant pathology?

In the context of increasing international concern for food and environmental quality, use of Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) for reducing chemical inputs in agriculture is a potentially important issue. PGPR are root-colonizing bacteria that exert beneficial effects on plant growth and development, but they can be also employed in the control of plant pathogens, for enhancing the efficiency of fertilizers, and for degrading xenobiotic compounds. This book provides an update by renowned international experts on the most recent advances in the ecology of these important bacteria, the application of innovative methodologies for their study, their interaction with the host plant, and their potential application in agriculture.

Plant diseases and changes in existing pathogens remain a constant threat to our forests, food, and fiber crops as well as landscape plants. However, many economically important pathosystems are largely unexplored and biologically relevant life stages of familiar systems remain poorly understood. In a multifaceted approach to plant pathogenic behavioral control, Sustainable Approaches to Controlling Plant Pathogenic Bacteria discusses the impact of plant pathogenic bacterial pathogenesis on scientific and economic levels. It introduces mechanisms, measuring tools, and controlling strategies you can use to meet the challenge of developing new and innovative ways to control plant diseases. The book covers many aspects of the activities of pathogenic bacteria that interact with plants. With chapters contributed by experts, the book focuses on: Pathogenesis Epidemiology Forecasting systems Control measures including diagnosis, quarantine, and eradication Adoption of agro-traditional practices Tools for the control of antibacterial polypeptides Nutrient supplements Metabolic substances from other organisms Mechanisms of siderophores Host resistances Quorum sensing and quenching Seed and foliar applications Impact of plant pathogens on scientific and economic levels The editors' approach provides a broad perspective, including modern trends in ecology that consider plant pathogenic bacterial control from all angles. The discussions and reviews in the book cover a wide range of aspects of plant pathogenic bacterial pathogenicity, epidemiology, and impact on the food chain as well as strategies for control, which will help you develop sustainable methods for controlling plant diseases.

This is an up-to-date guide on the science and practice of disease control based on fungicides in horticulture and broad acre agriculture. It describes how conventional, organic and biological fungicides are discovered, how they work and how resistance evolves. Chapters on formulation, mode of action, mobility and application inform decisions about which fungicides to use, when to use them, and how to rotate (or tank-mix) them, to manage both plant disease and fungicide resistance. A chapter on experimental design of fungicide trials aids practitioners in designing their own trials to evaluate how effective products are for their plant disease problem. Based on the successful 2014 book of Fungicides in Crop Protection this edition has four entirely new chapters, and extensive updates to the other nine chapters. The contents include: * Fungicide markets, discovery and performance. * Modes of action and spectrum. * Biological crop protection, and organic cultivation. * Fungicide formulation, mobility and application. * Experimental design of fungicide trials and their analysis. * Fungicide resistance. * Legislation and regulation. Written for crop protection professionals and scientists, growers, agronomists and consultants, the book is also suitable for students of agriculture and agronomy.

Plant disease epidemiology is a dynamic science that forms an essential part of the study of plant pathology. This book brings together a team of 35 international experts. Each chapter deals with an essential component of the subject and allows the reader to fully understand how each exerts its influence on the progress of pathogen populations in plant populations over a defined time scale. This edition has new, revised and updated chapters.

Since the identification of insect pheromones in the late 1950s, attention has often focused on the use of these potent behavior-modifying chemicals as pest control agents. Much of this interest has concentrated on Lepidoptera, particularly moths. In addressing this topic in other insect orders, this multi-author book fills this current gap in the literature. It presents research from leading authorities on the most important insect groups, and details the current progress of research in these areas. Applications of the research to agricultural systems around the world, and possible mechanisms for sustainable crop protection, are considered. This book is essential reading for students and researchers in entomology and crop protection.

The Advanced Text series is designed for students taking advanced-level courses, including final year undergraduates and taught MSc. Titles in this series will also be invaluable to researchers new to the field, and to established researchers as a basic reference text. Studies of the interactions between plants and their viral, bacterial and fungal pathogens are of major importance in plant and crop production. More than 10 per cent of potential agricultural yield is lost to these organisms annually worldwide, and major epidemics can cause significant local economic and environmental damage. Molecular Plant Pathology addresses the underlying molecular principles of plant/pathogen interactions, in a readily-accessible textbook format.

Healthy seeds and propagules are the basic requirement for producing good grains, fruits and vegetables needed for human survival and perpetuation. Dispersal of microbial plant pathogens via seeds and propagules has assumed more importance than other modes of dispersal, as infected seeds and propagules have the potential to become the primary sources of carrying pathogen inoculum for subsequent crops. Several diseases transmitted through seeds and propagules have been shown to have the potential to damage economies as a result of huge quantitative and qualitative losses in numerous crops. Hence, it is essential to rapidly detect, identify and differentiate the microbial plant pathogens present in seeds and propagules precisely and reliably, using sensitive techniques. Microbial Plant Pathogens: Detection and Management in Seeds and Propagules provides a comprehensive resource on seed-borne and propagule-borne pathogens. Information on the biology of microbial pathogens, including genetic diversity, infection process and survival mechanisms of pathogens and epidemiology of diseases caused by them, are discussed critically and in detail to highlight weak links in the life cycles of the pathogens. Development of effective disease management systems, based on the principles of exclusion and eradication of pathogens and immunization of crop plants to enhance the levels of resistance of cultivars to diseases, has been effective to keep the pathogens at bay. The need for production of disease-free seeds/propagules has been emphasized to prevent the carryover of the inoculum to the next crop or introduction of the pathogens to other locations. Effectiveness of adopting simple cultural practices and development of cultivars resistant to diseases through traditional breeding methods or biotechnological approach have resulted in reducing the pathogen inoculum and disease incidence. Although application of different chemicals may reduce the disease incidence effectively, biological management of crop diseases, employing potential biological control agents have to be preferred to preserve the agroecosystems. Greater efforts have to be made to integrate compatible strategies to enhance the effectiveness of diseases management systems. Protocols appended at the end of relevant chapters form a unique feature of this book to enable the researchers to fine-tune their projects. This 2 volume set provides comprehensive and updated information about the economically-important groups of microbial plant pathogens carried by seed and propagules. Graduate students, researchers and teachers of plant pathology, plant protection, microbiology, plant breeding and genetics, agriculture and horticulture, as well as certification and quarantine personnel will find the information presented in this book useful.

In Virus-Insect-Plant Interactions, the world's leading scientists discuss the latest breakthroughs in understanding the biological and ecological factors that define these complex transmission systems and how this knowledge might be used to our advantage in producing innovative, user and environmentally friendly approaches to controlling the spread of plant pathogens by insects. This is an invaluable reference work for researchers, teachers, and students. There are many quick-reference figures and tables, the contents pages include individual chapter abstracts, and each chapter ends with its own bibliography.
Key Features
* presents the most significant research breakthroughs of the past two decades
* contains eighteen chapters by forty-two world-renowned researchers
* invaluable reference work for researchers, teachers and students
* each chapter ends with its own bibliography
* contents pages of forematter include individual chapter abstracts
* contains many quick-reference figures and tables

This book provides practical, up-to-date information that helps in the successful management of diseases on food, fibre and landscape plants for students who do not have a strong background in the biological sciences. It is largely revised to reflect the recent problems in conventional agriculture with an environmental emphasis and to include the latest techniques in biotechnology and genetic engineering. This edition includes information on the more precise indentification of diseases and the pathogens that cause them, the development of epidermics of plant diseases, the application of biotechnology in plant pathology and the use of alternative methods of crop production and disease management. This book should be of interest to agricultural consultants; chemical company representatives; sales personnel; courses in biological sciences and agriculture in high schools; technical colleges.

This comprehensive dictionary provides an essential reference for plant pathologists and agriculturalists at all levels, listing the authoritative names of all major plant pathogens. The 11,000 entries, which include fungi from over 500 genera, 800 viruses, bacteria, mollicutes, nematodes and viriods, contain brief descriptions and thorough supporting references. There are also entries for the names of diseases and disorders, crops and their pathology, fungicides, taxonomic groups, terminology, toxins, vectors and past plant pathologists. Overall, the volume provides a wide-ranging resource for all those working in the discipline. In this new edition over 3000 entries have been added and many existing entries updated and expanded. In addition, common disease names such as "blight" and "canker" are now more conveniently included under the relevant crop.

Over the course of evolution, fungi have adapted to occupy specific niches, from symbiotically inhabiting the flora of the intestinal tract of mammals to saprophytic growth on leaf litter resting on the forest floor. In Plant Fungal Pathogens: Methods and Protocols, expert researchers in the field detail many of the methods which are now commonly used to study fungal plant pathogens. These include methods and techniques for model systems such as Arabidopsis thaliana as well as crop plants, aspects of fungal biology, genome annotation, next-generation sequencing, and fungal transformation and molecular tools for disease and/or pathogen quantification that are critical for revealing the role for a fungal gene of interest in disease development. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology (TM) series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and key tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and practical, Plant Fungal Pathogens: Methods and Protocols seeks to aid scientists in the further study in current techniques that cover a wide-range of methods to study molecular aspects of pathogenesis.

Protocols in Molecular Parasitology offers a wide range of experi mental protocols, each written by experts, to research workers interested in exploring the molecular aspects of parasitology. This is a field that has expanded enormously in scope and potential over the last decade, although it is as yet significantly underrepresented in the literature out side of academic journals. The need for manuals such as this one stems in part from the increasing difficulty of reproducing experimental tech niques from reports in standard journal papers, where pressures on space usually result in highly abbreviated descriptions. The "Notes" sections of the following chapters are particularly aimed at counteracting this problem. Since the emphasis of the book is on aspects of molecular analysis, it was possible to devote only a limited amount of space to describing protocols for culture and isolation of the primary parasitic material. Therefore, of the numerous parasitic systems that are currently being investigated in laboratories around the world, only techniques for c- turing the "big five" are described here, since they collectively account for the great bulk of research in this field. It is also possible that some minor front-end modifications to certain protocols may be necessary, depending on exactly which parasite is being studied."

The book is a comprehensive compilation of applied knowledge for developing resistant varieties to all the major biotrophs, hemibiotrophs and necrotrophs pathogens of crucifers through the use of latest biotechnological approaches. The book includes, multi-component resistance, incorporation of non-host resistance gene, function of particular gene in resistance, expression of age related resistance, enhanced gene resistance, sources of alternative gene which enhance disease resistance, through the use of latest biotechnical approaches like proteomics, omics, transcriptomics and metabolomics. The book also explores the molecular basis of disease resistance, its biometabolomics activities in response to infection and interaction by the various biotrophs, hemibiotrophs and necrotrophs pathogens. The identification of R genes and its incorporation into agronomically superior varieties through use of molecular mechanisms is also explained. This compilation is immensely useful to the researchers especially Brassica breeders, teachers, extension specialists, students, industrialists, farmers, and all others who are interested to grow healthy, and profitable cruciferous crops all over the world.

A number of economically important diseases are caused by potyviruses, the largest group of plant viruses. Many of these diseases are distributed worldwide. The development of effective control strategies against viruses is dependent on the availability of reliable methods of identification and detection. To date this has not seemed possible for the potyvirus group, because of its size, complexity, and immense variation. This book brings together the collaborative efforts of exports in the field. It summarizes characteristics of potyviruses which relate to their taxonomy and points to areas which require consideration before an international consensus can be reached. Main topics dealt with in detail are: serological relationships, nucleic acid sequence information, biological properties, and specific problems with several virus subgroups or pairs of viruses.

The increasing use of integrated crop management, often requiring a reduction in the reliance upon chemical control, means that the need to rapidly identify pest nematodes has never been greater. This second edition of this standard reference work familiar to all plant nematologists is therefore even more useful than its predecessor published in 1986. The in-depth description of the life histories of the genera of the Tylenchida have been retained and brought up-to-date through the inclusion of all the research carried out between the publication of the last edition and this new edition. This expanded edition includes detailed diagnoses of well over 200 genera and familial and ordinal groups and the book is heavily illustrated with drawings of type or representative species. These, together with comprehensive lists of species and genera and their synonymies provide the foundation for the status and validation of each taxon within the Tylenchida. A considerable amount of information is provided regarding the biology, ecology and pathogenicity of these parasites. This book is the only comprehensive reference work on this important group of nematodes.

The book is presenting a comprehensive information on fundamental, and applied knowledge of Plasmodiophora brassicae Woronin. infecting cruciferous crops, and weeds. Clubroot of crucifers has spread over more than 88 countries of the world with average annual loss of cruciferous crops from 10-15 per cent at global level. It is considered as a disease of cultivation since once introduced in a field, its inoculum piles up year by year in the form of resilient resting spores of P. brassicae which spreads in the field through field operations. This disease is very unique since the pathogen can survive in the soil in the rhizosphere of non-host plants in addition to its main host cruciferous species, cultivated or wild. This book complies inclusive information about the disease, its geographical distribution, symptoms, host range, yield losses, and disease assessment scales. The book also explores host-parasite interactions in the form of seed infection, disease cycle, process of infection, pathogenesis, epidemiology and forecasting. Chapters discuss the genetic and molecular mechanisms of host-parasite relationships, management practices including cultural, chemical, biological control practices, and other integrated approaches. The book is immensely useful to researchers, teachers, extension specialists, farmers, and all others who are interested to grow healthy and profitable cruciferous crops all over the world. Also the book serves as additional reading material for undergraduate and graduate students of agriculture and especially plant pathology. National and international agricultural scientists, policy makers will also find this to be a useful read.

There is a growing awareness that an understanding of international plant health agreements and protocol is essential in the increasingly free-trade environment of today, and that administrative methods of plant pest control are important in crop production. However, there has been no recent book, which introduces students and practitioners to the subject of plant health and quarantine. This book fills this gap.