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.

The biological ways in which diseases of plants, caused by pathogenic microbes can be controlled without the use of chemical pesticides is the subject of this book. The basis of biocontrol (in microbiology, ecology, and plant pathology) is described and many examples of control measures in commercial use or development are given. There is increasing interest in biocontrol from the general public, environmentalists and the major world agrochemical companies, and this easily read text presents recent developments in the subject. The book provides the necessary references and literature citations to allow a more detailed investigation of particular diseases or control systems to be made. This is an important book that will be especially helpful to graduate and undergraduate students in botany, biology, microbiology, plant pathology, agriculture, horticulture, crop science and related courses.

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.

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.

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.

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."

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.

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.

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.

There is increasing interest in the use of fungi for the control of pests, weeds and diseases. This book brings together perspectives from pathology, ecology, genetics, physiology, production technology, to address the use of fungi as biological control agents.

Just like humans, animals and plants suffer from infectious diseases, which can critically threaten biodiversity. This book describes key studies that have driven our understanding of the ecology and evolution of wildlife diseases. Each chapter introduces the host and disease, and explains how that system has aided our general understanding of the evolution and spread of wildlife diseases, through the development and testing of important epidemiological and evolutionary theories. Questions addressed include: How do hosts and parasites co-evolve? What determines how fast a disease spreads through a population? How do co-infecting parasites interact? Why do hosts vary in parasite burden? Which factors determine parasite virulence and host resistance? How do parasites influence the spread of invasive species? How do we control infectious diseases in wildlife? This book will provide a valuable introduction to students new to the topic, and novel insights to researchers, professionals and policymakers working in the field.

Based on a similarly named meeting in December 1999, organized by the British Society for Plant Pathology, this book considers the biology of interactions between host plants and the pathogens that infect them. This important topic has seen some significant advances in the past 10 years, especially through the application of molecular techniques, which are extensively covered in this book.

Palms constitute one of the largest botanical families, and include some of the world s most important economic plants. They are also unequalled as outdoor and indoor ornamental plants, and include many species that are essential components of the ecosystems of tropical and other warm regions. This book reviews the inter-relationships between palms and insects, emphasizing the similarities in different world regions. The host plants, distribution, and bionomics of representative insects are discussed according to their feeding sites on palms (foliage, flowers, fruits, and stems) and their taxonomic groups. Host and distribution records for the most extensively represented insect families on palms are tabulated. Pest management and field techniques are also covered. This book is recommended reading for tropical biologists and agriculturalists, including entomologists, horticulturists and tropical ecologists as well as palm nursery growers, managers and enthusiasts."

Diseases caused by Ganoderma species cause major losses of palms and other perennial crops throughout the world, and these are particularly significant in Asia. Successive replanting of crop monocultures can be rapidly exploited by soil-borne fungi such as Ganoderma, and the problem will become more serious in the 21st century, as more areas become due for second or even third replanting. Environmental considerations will reduce exploitation of new forest areas, making further replanting of these crops inevitable. Thus, appropriate, integrated management systems for these diseases are vital. However, the development of such control measures has been hampered in the past by a limited knowledge of the nature and inter-relationships of populations of different hosts and the mechanisms of disease establishment and spread.This book aims to address these limitations through enhanced knowledge of the biology and taxonomy of Ganoderma species. The use of molecular and biochemical methods can be used to provide a greater understanding of the spread of the pathogen, and consequently, the improved management of disease.

Geminivirus: Detection, Diagnosis and Management focuses on the latest techniques for managing diseases caused by these circular, single-stranded (ss) DNA genomes. The most significant impact of plant diseases in host populations is often caused by emerging diseases, whose incidence in a plant host is increasing as a result of long-term changes in their underlying epidemiology. Genetic changes in pathogen and host populations, as well as changes in host ecology and environment, are major factors contributing to disease emergence. Understanding plant virus evolution is crucial for modeling the within-host and between-host dynamics and genetics of virus populations. The book presents a comprehensive review of how these viruses develop, including contributing factors such as population bottlenecks during cell-to-cell movement, systemic colonization, or between-host transmission by different procedures. Presented in five sections-Detection and Diagnosis, Emergence and Diversity, Vector and Transmission, Virus-Host Interaction, and Disease Management, the book includes host range determinant and virulence factors involved in pathogenesis, virus-vector interactions during acquisition, retention, and transmission and evaluating management strategies to control Geminivirus. The book is an essential reference for students and researchers interested in plant virology, particularly begomoviruses, geminiviruses, and vector transmission biology. Introduces identification and characterization of geminiviruses that infect agricultural crops, their wild relatives, and weed hosts Discusses recombination and reassortment mechanisms influencing viral genetic diversity, virulence, and vector transmission Explores the origin, evolution, and bottlenecks of Geminiviruses

Accurate and detailed information on the fundamental biology of free-living and plant-parasitic nematodes has several important functions. It is needed to gain an understanding of their highly complex ecology and, since many plant-parasitic nematodes are major agricultural pests, it also greatly enhances attempts to implement crop protection strategies. In addition, information on physiology and biochemistry has particular relevance to studies of gene function in nematodes and the nematode "Caenorhabditis elegans" has become established as one of the most important model organisms for molecular genetic studies. Written by leading research workers from Europe, USA, Australia and New Zealand, this is the only up-to-date reference book which reviews and integrates all the current research findings on the physiology and biochemistry of these organisms, including the molecular information which has accumulated in recent years. It is essential reading for researchers, advanced undergraduate and postgraduate students and lecturers in plant nematology, parasitology, plant pathology and agricultural zoology and will also be a valuable reference source for students of invertebrate biology, crop protection and pest management.

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.

Agrios' Plant Pathology, Sixth Edition is the ultimate reference in the field. Here, Dr. Richard Oliver provides a fully updated table of contents with revised and new chapters and invited contributors from around the globe. Building on his legacy, this new edition is an essential read for students, faculty and researchers interested in plant pathology. Sections outline how to recognize, treat and prevent plant diseases and provide extensive coverage on abiotic, fungal, viral, bacterial, nematode and other plant diseases and their associated epidemiology. A large range of case studies take a deep dive into the genetics and modern management of several plant species.

The field of Phytobacteriology is rapidly advancing and changing, because of recent advances in genomics and molecular plant pathology, but also due to the global spread of bacterial plant diseases and the emergence of new bacterial diseases. So, there is a need to integrate understanding of bacterial taxonomy, genomics, and basic plant pathology that reflects state-of-the-art knowledge about plant-disease mechanisms. This book describes seventy specific bacterial plant diseases and presents up-to-date classification of plant pathogenic bacteria. It would be of great help for scientists and researchers in conducting research on ongoing projects or formulation of new research projects. The book will also serve as a text book for advanced undergraduate and postgraduate students of disciplines of Phytobacteriology and Plant Pathology. Contains latest and updated information of plant pathogenic bacteria till December 2018 Describes seventy specific bacterial diseases Presents classification of the bacteria and associated nomenclature based on Bergey's Manual Systematic Bacteriology and International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology Discusses practical and thoroughly tested disease management strategies that would help in controlling enormous losses caused by these plant diseases Reviews role of Type I-VI secretion systems and peptide- or protein-containing toxins produced by bacterial plant pathogens Briefs about plants and plant products that act as carriers of human enteric bacterial pathogens, like emphasizing role of seed sprouts as a common vehicle in causing food-borne illness Dr B. S. Thind was ex-Professor-cum-Head, Department of Plant Pathology, Punjab Agricultural University Ludhiana, India. He has 34 years of experience in teaching, research, and transfer of technology. He has conducted research investigations on bacterial blight of rice, bacterial stalk rot of maize, bacterial blight of cowpea, bacterial leaf spot of green gram, bacterial leaf spot of chillies and bacterial soft rot of potatoes. He also acted as Principal Investigator of two ICAR-funded research schemes entitled, "Detection and control of phytopathogenic bacteria from cowpea and mungbean seeds from 1981 to 1986 and "Perpetuation, variability, and control of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae, the causal agent of bacterial blight of rice" from 1989 to 1993, and also of a DST funded research scheme "Biological control of bacterial blight, sheath blight, sheath rot, and brown leaf spot of rice" from 1999 to 2002. He also authored a manual entitled, "Plant Bacteriology" and a text book entitled, "Phytopathogenic Procaryotes and Plant Diseases" published by Scientific Publishers (India). He is Life member of Indian Phytopathological Society, Indian Society of Plant Pathologists, Indian Society of Mycology and Plant Pathology, and Indian Science Congress Association.

In preparing the fifth edition of Plant Viruses the general plan of the book has been retained since this seems to offer adequate scope for a book of this size. However, each section has been brought up-to-date with any new information which has become available since the publication of the previous edition. Chapter 15 has been added giving a short account of two new fields of virus study, the viruses affecting fungi and algae. Some of the plates have been replaced by more modern illustrations. Reference to the aster yellows group of diseases has been eliminated because these diseases are now known to be caused by infection with Mycoplasma and not with viruses. Grateful acknowledgement is due to Dr Aaron Klug, F.R.S. and his colleagues for permission to use their recent work on the assembly of viruses. Acknowledgement is also due to several friends who have supplied prints of illustration from their pub lished work; credit has been given to authors in the illustration legends. Cambridge K.M.S.

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.

Introduction to Plant Pathology provides an integrated coverage of the biology of plant disease, highlighting the organisms that cause such diseases and the techniques used for their identification and control. It is a comprehensive, up-to-date introduction to the subject, including the latest relevant molecular and genetic developments.

Broadly divided into two parts, the text opens by placing plant disease in context, showing how disease may cause a catastrophic loss of crops. Pathogens are then discussed alongside epidemiology and the measurement of disease severity and its relation to yield and inoculum control. The second part examines host-pathogen interactions and symptoms caused by altered plant growth regulator metabolism. Finally, the book looks at how the health of crops may be improved through the continuing development of control measures that are environmentally responsible.

• An accessible introduction, including coverage of the molecular biology of plant disease.
• Includes many examples and applications throughout, along with full colour photographs.
• A diverse selection of case studies provided along with a detailed glossary

This edited book provides the readers with the concepts and in-depth knowledge of plant disease assessment and conventional and modern technologies that aid in precise and accurate phytomathometery. This book discusses the evolution of plant disease assessment procedures from the primary visual estimation-based assessment to modern approaches, their practical application for reliable disease quantification, yield loss estimation, and the efficacy of disease control strategies for sustainable crop protection. Significant information is provided on the major aspects of the topic, including remote sensing, imaging techniques, molecular phytopathometery, microarray, and immunotechnology. The book helps plant scientists, plant pathologists, practitioners, researchers, and students in disease quantification, developing predictive models for plant disease epidemics, assessing crop losses, and the magnitude of plant disease control methods. This book describes the classical plant disease assessment methods based on visual observations. It Provides information regarding the modern and emerging technologies in Phytopathometery, precision, and accuracy. This book also discusses the application of disease assessments in predictive models, disease warning systems, expert systems, and decision support systems in applied plant pathology.

So often new phytopathogens emerge and appear primarily in acute form and then take a chronic form; such populations, however, in general have a limited appearance because of the lack of suitable environmental conditions. The emergence of new pathogens needs to be explored in the light of their evolutionary adaptation. This new volume focuses on the study of quantitative aspects of host-phytopathogen linkages that result in the emergence of aggressive phytopathogens. The book examines the evolution and adaptation of phytopathogens from several cropping systems.

Understanding the symbiosis between plants and pathogenic microbes is at the core of effective disease management for crops and managed forests. At the same time, plant-pathogen interactions comprise a wonderfully diverse set of ecological relationships that are powerful and yet so commonplace that they often go unnoticed. Ecologists and evolutionary biologists are increasingly exploring the terrain of plant disease ecology, investigating topics such as how pathogens shape diversity in plant communities, how features of plant-microbe interactions including host range and mutualism/antagonism evolve, and how biological invasions, climate change, and other agents of global change can drive disease emergence. Traditional training in ecology and evolutionary biology seldom provides structured exposure to plant pathology or microbiology, and training in plant pathology rarely offers depth in the theoretical frameworks of evolutionary ecology or includes examples from complex wild ecosystems. This novel textbook seeks to unite the research communities of plant disease ecology and plant pathology by bridging this gap.