Plant Pathology and Plant Pathogens - 4th Edition,Annotated by John A Lucas (Paperback)

About the Book

"Plant Pathology is the scientific study of plant diseases and the pathogens that cause them, including viruses, bacteria, fungi, oomycetes and nematodes. The management of plant disease, disease cycles and the environmental conditions associated with disease are also integral to the study of plant pathology. Plant disease is relevant to many areas of biological and agricultural science; for example it has impacts on crop quality and yield, horticulture, plant biodiversity and human health and wellbeing. Some well-known examples of plant pathogens include potato blight (Phytophthora infestans), Fusarium wilt disease (Fusarium spp.) which affects grain and other crops and the recent Ash dieback epidemic (Chalara fraxinea). The need for effective crop protection is now even more pressing with the estimates of population growth and adaptation to more variable climate. The link between fundamental discovery and practical application in crop protection is vital. Like all of biology, plant pathology is now embracing the "Omics revolution", and recent advances in plant breeding and biotechnology are also leading to a better understanding of pathogen biology and plant responses to disease"--

Book Synopsis

An updated guide to plant pathogens and their management

The impact of plant disease is far-reaching. Its effects are felt not only in the spheres of agriculture and horticulture, but also in human health and wellbeing. The challenges of population growth, climate change and global food security all increase the need to protect crops from disease and reduce the losses caused by plant pathogens. This requires ongoing research and novel solutions, making the detailed analysis offered by Plant Pathology and Plant Pathogens more relevant than ever.

Striking a balance between laboratory- and field-based aspects of its subject, this revised fourth edition of the text places plant disease in a wide biological context. Its contents cover causal agents and diagnosis, host-pathogen interactions, and disease management, including breeding for resistance, chemical, biological and integrated control. New to this edition are updated sections on molecular epidemiology, biosecurity, pathogenomics, and the biotechnological advances that are helping scientists make great strides in the fight against plant disease.

• Authored by a leading authority on plant pathology
• Offers new coverage of recent advances in molecular genetics and genomics, biotechnology, and plant breeding
• Places emphasis on interaction biology and biological concepts, such as immunity and comparisons with animal systems
• Includes access to a supplementary website featuring slides of all figures in the book

Plant Pathology and Plant Pathogens is an ideal textbook for graduate and upper-level undergraduate students in biology, botany, agricultural sciences, applied microbiology, plant-microbe interactions, and related subjects. It will also be a practical and enlightening resource for professionals in agricultural institutions, along with crop consultants seeking additional training or information.

From the Back Cover

An updated guide to plant pathogens and their management

The impact of plant disease is far-reaching. Its effects are felt not only in the spheres of agriculture and horticulture, but also in human health and wellbeing. The challenges of population growth, climate change and global food security all increase the need to protect crops from disease and reduce the losses caused by plant pathogens. This requires ongoing research and novel solutions, making the detailed analysis offered by Plant Pathology and Plant Pathogens more relevant than ever.

Striking a balance between laboratory- and field-based aspects of its subject, this revised fourth edition of the text places plant disease in a wide biological context. Its contents cover causal agents and diagnosis, host-pathogen interactions, and disease management, including breeding for resistance, chemical, biological and integrated control. New to this edition are updated sections on molecular epidemiology, biosecurity, pathogenomics, and the biotechnological advances that are helping scientists make great strides in the fight against plant disease.

• Authored by a leading authority on plant pathology
• Offers new coverage of recent advances in molecular genetics and genomics, biotechnology, and plant breeding
• Places emphasis on interaction biology and biological concepts, such as immunity and comparisons with animal systems
• Includes access to a supplementary website featuring slides of all figures in the book

Plant Pathology and Plant Pathogens is an ideal textbook for graduate and upper-level undergraduate students in biology, botany, agricultural sciences, applied microbiology, plant-microbe interactions, and related subjects. It will also be a practical and enlightening resource for professionals in agricultural institutions, along with crop consultants seeking additional training or information.

About the Author

JOHN A. LUCAS, Professor, Biointeractions and Crop Protection Department, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, UK.