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.

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."

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

"Guide to Foodborne Pathogens" covers pathogens--bacteria, viruses, and parasites--that are most commonly responsible for foodborne illness. An essential guide for anyone in the food industry, research, or regulation who needs to ensure or enforce food safety, the guide delves into the nature of illnesses, the epidemiology of pathogens, and current detection, prevention, and control methods. The guide further includes chapters on new technologies for microbial detection and the globalization of the food supply, seafood toxins, and other miscellaneous agents.

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.

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.

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.

Soilborne microbial plant pathogens including oomycetes, fungi, bacteria and viruses cause several economically important destructive diseases and the symptoms of infection can be recognized only after the pathogen has invaded many tissues primarily vascular tissues of susceptible plants. This condition places formidable challenges in investigating different aspects of host-microbial pathogen interactions. Early detection of infection and precise identification, differentiation, and quantification of the microbial plant pathogens in plants, soil and water sources are essential requirements for development of effective tactics to reduce the incidence and spread of the diseases caused by them. As the microbial plant pathogens differ in their virulence and sensitivity to the environment and chemicals applied, it is imperative to assess the extent of variability in the concerned pathogens. This first volume of a two-volume set introduces disease-causing microorganisms including oomycetes, fungi, bacteria, and viruses found in soils. It focuses on the biology, detection, and identification of soilborne bacterial, fungal, and viral plant pathogens. This volume discusses various techniques based on biological, immunological and genetic properties of the pathogens indicating their advantages and limitations for selecting the appropriate technique to fulfill the requirements. Features: Presents techniques useful for detection, identification, quantification of microbial plant pathogens in plants, soil, and irrigation water from waterbodies. Highlights subversive activities of viruses, resulting in the breakdown of host defense systems. Discusses RNA silencing in infected plants by viruses and posttranscriptional gene silencing (PTGS) functioning as an endogenous mechanism in plants against virus infection. Presents information on methods of assessment of genetic variability and sensitivity of microbial plant pathogens to chemicals and adverse environmental conditions.

Covering all aspects of practical plant nematology in subtropical and tropical agriculture, the third edition of this definitive global reference work is fully revised and in full colour throughout. It covers the presence, distribution, symptomology and management of all economically important plant parasitic nematodes damaging the world's major food and cash crops. This includes: rice, cereals, solanum and sweet potatoes (and other root and tuber crops), food legumes, vegetables, peanut, citrus, fruit tree crops, coconut and other palms, coffee, cocoa, tea, bananas, sugarcane, tobacco, pineapple, cotton, other tropical fibres, spices and medicinal plants. New content for this edition includes: - A chapter on nematode soil biodiversity and soil health. - Reflections on the future impact of nematodes and nematology on food security. - The importance of climate change, emerging threats, and new management technologies for large and small subsistence growers. - Significant revisions to the IPM chapter and chapters on vegetables, citrus, legumes, tuber crops, cotton, peanut and banana where major advances in nematode management have occurred. This book is highly illustrated, with up-to-date practical guidance on methods of extraction, processing and diagnosing of different plant and soil nematodes and on integrated pest management. It remains an invaluable resource for those studying and working in the area of crop protection.

Plant viruses are significant as they affect our food supply and are capable of rapidly spreading to new plant species, so a comprehensive study of plant viruses is important in understanding their pathogenesis and prevention. This book focuses on the plant virus evolution, their molecular classification, epidemics and management. The key features in the book includes genome organization, translation and replication, virus-coded proteinases, structure of virus particles, cell receptors and host range, the RNA polymerase, quasispecies dynamics and virus evolution, and its natural habitats.

This open access volume presents a comprehensive account of all aspects of biological invasions in South Africa, where research has been conducted over more than three decades, and where bold initiatives have been implemented in attempts to control invasions and to reduce their ecological, economic and social effects. It covers a broad range of themes, including history, policy development and implementation, the status of invasions of animals and plants in terrestrial, marine and freshwater environments, the development of a robust ecological theory around biological invasions, the effectiveness of management interventions, and scenarios for the future. The South African situation stands out because of the remarkable diversity of the country, and the wide range of problems encountered in its varied ecosystems, which has resulted in a disproportionate investment into both research and management. The South African experience holds many lessons for other parts of the world, and this book should be of immense value to researchers, students, managers, and policy-makers who deal with biological invasions and ecosystem management and conservation in most other regions.

Ornamental trees, shrubs and flowers have always been extremely popular and there is large demand-whether in gardens or parks-for alpines, bedding plants, cacti, cut flowers, house plants and pot plants, as well as herbaceous plants, ornamental grasses, shrubs and trees. The first edition of this comprehensive and beautifully illustrated book was extremely successful and it has now been fully revised and updated. The second edition contains over 60 new pests and almost 90 new color photographs. The book opens with a review of the main features of insects, mites and other major pest groups. The principles of pest control of ornamental plants are discussed, followed by sections on the various pests. Each major order and family is considered in turn, with details of their status, host range, world distribution, diagnostic features and biology. Descriptions of the characteristic damage caused are also given. Pests of Ornamental Trees, Shrubs and Flowers provides a unique source of permanent reference for all involved in the recognition, biology and control of the pests of ornamental crops, including professionals, scientists and students in agriculture, horticulture and entomology, and amateur gardeners.

Laboratory Techniques in Plant Bacteriology is ideal for scientists and students who seek a career in plant pathogenic bacteria. This book contains 41 chapters comprising practicable techniques from isolation of bacterial plant pathogens to their identification up to species and race/biotype level. It includes identification protocols of morphological, biochemical, immunological, and molecular-based techniques. This book comprises all technological aspects of plant bacteriological studies. Its content is ideal for graduate students and research scholars including bacteriological professionals or technicians. The book ultimately provides working technologies useful for controlling bacterial disease pathogens.

Plant parasitic nematodes are costly burdens of crop production, causing an estimated US$80 - 118 billion per year in damage to crops. They are associated with nearly every important agricultural crop, and are a significant constraint on global food security. Regulations on the use of chemical pesticides have resulted in growing interest in alternative methods of nematode control. Future changes in climate, cropping systems, food habits, as well as social and environmental factors also affect the options for nematode control. Taking a systematic crop by crop approach, this book: Outlines the economic importance of specific plant parasitic nematode problems on the major food and industrial crops. Presents the state-of-the-art management strategies that have been developed to reduce specific nematode impacts, and outlines their limitations. Contains case studies to illustrate impact in the field. Aims to anticipate future changes in nematode disease pressure that might develop as a result of climate change, and new cropping systems.

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 book describes interactions of plant viruses with hosts and transmission vectors in an agricultural context. Starting with an overview of virus biology, economics and management, chapters then address economically significant plant diseases of tropical and subtropical crops. For each disease, symptoms, distribution, economic impact, causative virus, taxonomy, host range, transmission, diagnostic methods and management strategies are discussed.

Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), Diaphorina citri, is an insect pest which transmits a bacterium, Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas), primarily through feeding in newly emergent foliage of citrus trees. This pathogen causes a disease known as Huanglongbing (HLB), or citrus greening, which has become the most debilitating and intractable disease in citrus crops. This book, written by a team of experts on the Asian citrus psyllid, gathers together everything currently known about the biology and ecology of this important pest species, examines the transmission and acquisition processes of the pathogen, and looks at current management practices and their effectiveness. The potential for new, innovative management techniques are also described, along with the economic implications of managing this rapidly establishing disease. This book: Covers all aspects of Asian citrus psyllid biology and ecology for the first time in one place. Examines new, innovative management practices and assesses their effectiveness. Discusses the vector-pathogen relationship in detail. Explains the economics of controlling this devastating pest. This title is essential reading for all researchers involved in the management and control of Asian citrus psyllid, extension agents, and pest management consultants. It will also be of great use to graduate students in applied entomology and related disciplines.

IPM Systems need to be developed for agriculture to be economically and environmentally strong, in production, storage and food processing. Although the concept and philosophy of integrated pest management have been largely accepted for some time, its implementation is complex and faces numerous potential problems. If IPM is to enjoy widespread approval and adoption, it must be clearly defined and economically and socially acceptable. The topics covered in this book include a range of topics, such as risk-benefit analysis, transgenic crops in IPM and consumer response to IPM.

This volume discusses traditional and current techniques that are successfully used to diagnose plant viruses and study molecular plant-virus interactions. The chapters in this book cover topics such as in vivo detection of double-stranded RNA, developing rice mutant using CRISPR-Cas9-based technology, protein-protein interaction assays, purification and transfection of protoplasts, protocols for gene silencing, and transmission electron microscopy. 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. Cutting-edge and practical, Plant Virology: Methods and Protocols is a valuable resource for plant pathologists, microbiologists, virologists, graduate students, and teachers who are interested in learning more about the developments in plant virology research.

This book offers a range of environmentally benign molecular mechanisms which are safer alternative strategies for effective insect pest management. In modern era of biotechnology, there has been much advancement in the field of molecular biology, where many more techniques have evolved which can be helpful in the field of pest management too. Plant resistance, development of transgenic plants, and many more techniques are being considered the panacea to pest problems. On the other hand, there are wide spread concerns of the safety of biotechnological interventions with nontarget organisms including humans. While the world stands divided on the ethical issues of these approaches and the many safety concerns, scientists believe that well thought of biotechnological interventions are probably the only safest ways possible for reducing pest attacks on crops. It explores various techniques and aspects related to molecular pathways for crop pest control. This book is a useful resource for postgraduate students and researchers of agriculture sciences, plant pathology and plant physiology. It is also useful for policy planners in agriculture.

This volume provides a collection of molecular protocols detailing the most common and modern techniques on fusarium wilt. Chapters guide readers through methods on initial isolation, molecular-based identification, genome characterization, generation of mutants, and characterization of interactions with other organisms including host plants. Written in the format of the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series, each chapter includes an introduction to the topic, lists necessary materials and reagents, includes tips on troubleshooting and known pitfalls, and step-by-step, readily reproducible protocols. Authoritative and cutting-edge, Fusarium wilt: Methods and Protocols aims to be a valuable resource for mycologists, plant pathologists, microbiologists, geneticists, and other scientists that have an interest in members of the Fusarium oxysporum species complex or closely related fungi.