Powdery mildew disease is the fourth most widespread disease in cruciferous crops and a devastating effect, causing significant losses in terms of quality and quantity in rapeseed and mustard. Powdery mildews are also a favourable host-pathosystem model for basic research on host–parasite interactions, developmental morphology, cytology, and molecular biology to identify the effector proteins/genes governing different biological functions. This book provides a comprehensive overview of all the published information in the field for researchers, teachers, students, extension experts, industrialists and farmers, and includes illustrations, photographs, graphs, figures, tables, histograms, micrographs, electron micrographs, and flow charts to aid understanding. It also describes standardized reducible techniques. The book discusses each disease in detail, describing the distribution, symptomatology, host range, yield losses and disease assessment, as well as the taxonomy, morphology, phylogeny, variability, sporulation, survival and perpetuation of the pathogen. Further, it explores topics such as spore germination; infection; pathogenesis; disease cycle; epidemiology; forecasting; fine structures; host resistance; biochemical, histological, genetic and molecular aspects such as cloning and mapping of R genes; sources of resistance; disease resistance breeding; and the genetics of host-parasite interactions and disease management.

"Chapters within "The Fungi" bring up to date the nomenclature and classification of species, accurately reflecting the phylogeny of the fungi. An entire chapter is dedicated to the taxonomy of the powdery mildew fungi providing a new and reliable international source for all mycologists and plant pathologists. Convenient reference to both 'old' and 'new' names throughout the book will facilitate understanding and accelerate transition towards general use of the new taxonomy and nomenclature."--pub. desc.

The Book Incorporates In A Comparative Manner The Various Important Classifications Of Fungi Given By Different Workers. It Deals With The Morphology, Taxonomy, Life Cycles Of Various Groups Of Fungi And Also Includes The Disease Cycle And Control Measures Of Fungal Pathogens, Responsible For Causing Diseases Of National As Well As International Importance. The Book Has Been Written To Cater To The Needs Of Honours And Postgraduate Students Of Indian Universities. The Aim Of The Book Is To Bring In All The Recent Information In Fungi In One Volume. General Topics Like Heterothallism, Parasexual Cycle, Sex Hormones, Evolutionary Tendencies In Lower Fungi, Evolution Of Conidium From A Sporangium, Sexuality In Ascomycetes With Special Reference To Degeneration And Modification Of Sex Organs, Phylogeny Of Fungi Have Been Discussed At Length. Important Topics Like Ecology, Economic Importance Of Fungi In Various Ways, Applications Of Fungi In Biotechnology And Fungi As Symbionts Of Photobionts, Plants And Insects Has Also Been Discussed In Detail. Appendices Like Important Text And Reference Books, Mycoiogical Journals, Fungal Culture Collection Centres Of The World, Mounting Media And Common Culture Media For Fungi Have Been Included.

Introduces readers to key case studies that illustrate how theory and data can be integrated to understand wildlife disease ecology.