Diseases of Field Crops

Plant diseases cause yield loss in crop production, poor quality of produce, and great economic losses as well. Knowledge of the perpetuation and spread of the pathogens and various factors affecting disease development is an important need. Disease diagnosis is the prime requirement for determining preventive or curative measures for effective disease management. This new 2-volume set, Diseases of Field Crops: Diagnosis and Management, helps to fill the need for research on plant diseases, their effects, how they spread, and effective management measures to mitigate their harmful effects. The volumes in this set showcase recent advances in molecular plant pathology and discuss appropriate diagnostic techniques for identification of causal agents and diseases, providing the information necessary to establish management strategies. The chapters in these two volumes include detailed description of symptoms, causal organisms, disease cycles, epidemiology, and management techniques of economically importantdiseases. The volumes explore existing strategies and offer new methods that can be used in an integrated manner and with a comprehensive approach for the management of major diseases of the field crops. Also taken into consideration is the impact of global climate change on the spread and severity of plant diseases. The first volume, Volume 1: Cereals, Small Millets, and Fiber Crops, covers a selection of cereal crops or grains for fodder and human food and the diseases that affect them. The crops include rice, maize, wheat, millet, sorghum, jute, and more. Volume 2: Volume 2: Pulses, Oil Seeds, Narcotics, and Sugar Crops is comprised of eighteen chapters with each chapter focusing on only one crop, with detailed account of symptoms, causal organisms, disease cycles, epidemiology, and management of the diseases caused by fungi, bacteria and viruses. Some crops discussed include green gram, chickpeas and peas, lentils, soybeans, groundnuts, sunflowers, sugarcane, tobacco, and others. With chapters from authors actively engaged in teaching, research, and extension, the volumes are vividly enhanced with an abundance of photos and illustrations of typical symptoms, portrayed with graphs, tables, and line drawings. These volumes will provide a wealth of valuable information on plant diseases and effective management strategies. They will be a useful resource and guide for growers, students and faculty, industry professionals, and researchers and scientists engaged in agriculture and in resolving plant disease diagnosis, disease etiology, and management. Key features: Provides appropriate diagnostic techniques for identification of causal agents and diseases Explores existing strategies and offers new methods for the management of major diseases of the field crops Considers the impact of global climate change on the spread and severity of plant diseases--