Ecofriendly Management of Plant Diseases

Description

The purpose of this book is to introduce students to the basic principles and concepts of plant disease management. Plant diseases are often classified by their physiological effects or symptoms. Many diseases, however, produce practically identical symptoms and signs but are caused by very different microorganisms or agents, thus requiring completely different control methods. Classification according to symptoms is also inadequate because a causal agent may induce several different symptoms, even on the same plant organ, which often intergrade. Classification may be according to the species of plant affected. The use of resistant varieties is an important strategy in IDM. Breeding for disease and insect resistance has always been considered an important part of apple breeding programs, but the focus has been on field production and little attention has been devoted to postharvest disease resistance and associated decays. The diseases of economic importance caused by fungi, bacteria, viruses and virus like organisms of each crop are covered, describing their history, distribution, losses incurred, symptoms latest diagnostic tools, epidemiology and integrated applied management approaches including cultural, chemical, genetic resources, use of bio control agents being adopted worldwide.