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 byPlant 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, hostpathogen 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.

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.

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

Preface vii

List of Abbreviations ix

About the Companion Website xi

Part I Plant Disease 1

1 The Diseased Plant 7

2 The Microbial Pathogens 31

3 Pathogen Biology 45

4 Disease Assessment and Forecasting 83

5 Plant Disease Epidemics 109

Part II HostPathogen Interactions 137

6 Entry and Colonization of the Host 141

7 The Physiology of Plant Disease 167

8 Microbial Pathogenicity 185

9 Plant Defense 209

10 HostPathogen Specificity 241

Part III Disease Management 273

11 Disease Management by Chemicals 279

12 Disease Management by Host Resistance 309

13 Biological Control of Plant Disease 337

14 An Integrated Approach to Disease Management 359

Appendix 1 Annotated List of Pathogens and the Diseases they Cause 375

Appendix 2 Reference Sources for Figures 387

Index 395