Biotechnology and Biology of Trichoderma serves as a comprehensive reference on the chemistry and biochemistry of one of the most important microbial agents, Trichoderma, and its use in an increased number of industrial bioprocesses for the synthesis of many biochemicals such as pharmaceuticals and biofuels. This book provides individuals working in the field of Trichoderma, especially biochemical engineers, biochemists and biotechnologists, important information on how these valuable fungi can contribute to the production of a wide range of products of commercial and ecological interest. - Provides a detailed and comprehensive coverage of the chemistry, biochemistry and biotechnology of Trichoderma, fungi present in soil and plants - Includes most important current and potential applications of Trichoderma in bioengineering, bioprocess technology including bioenergy & biofuels, biopharmaceuticals, secondary metabolites and protein engineering - Includes the most recent research advancements made on Trichoderma applications in plant biotechnology and ecology and environment

The systematics of species of Hypocrea with green ascospores and their Trichoderma anamorphs is presented. Multiple phenotypic characters were analysed, includingteleomorph and anamorph, as well as col-ony morphology and growth rates at varioustemperatures. In addition, phylogenetic analyses of two genes, the RNA polymerase II subunit (RPB2) and translation elongation factor 1-alpha (EF-1a), were performed. These analyses revealedthat species of Hypocrea with green ascosporesand Trichodermaanamorphs are derived from within Hypocrea but do not form a monophyletic group. Therefore, Creopus and Chromocrea, genera formerly segregated from Hypocrea only based on their coloured ascospores, are considered synonyms of Hy-pocrea. The present study showed that phenotypic characters alone are generally not helpful in understanding phylogenetic relationships in this group of organisms, because teleomorph characters are generally highly con-served and anamorph characters tend to be morphologically divergent within monophyletic lineages or clades. The species concept used here for Hypocrea/Trichoderma is based on a combination of phenotypic and geno-typic characteristics. In this study 40 species of Hypocrea/Trichoderma having green ascospores are described and illustrated. Dichotomous keys to the species are given. The following species are treated (names in bold are new species or new combinations): H. albocornea, H. atrogelatinosa, H. aureoviridis/T. aureoviride, H. can-dida/T. candidum, H. catoptron/T. catoptron, H. centristerilis, H. ceracea/T. ceraceum, H. ceramica/T. ce-ramicum, H. chlorospora/T. chlorosporum, H. chromosperma/T. chromospermum, H. cinnamomea/T. cin-namomeum, H. clusiae, H. cornea, H. costaricensis, H. crassa/T. crassum, H. cremea/T. cremeum, H. cu-neispora/T. cuneisporum, H. estonica/T. estonicum, H. gelatinosa/T. gelatinosum, H. gyrosa, H. lixii/T. har-zianum, H. macrospora, H. melanomagna/T. melanomagnum

Beneficial Microbes in Agro-Ecology: Bacteria and Fungi is a complete resource on the agriculturally important beneficial microflora used in agricultural production technologies. Included are 30 different bacterial genera relevant in the sustainability, mechanisms, and beneficial natural processes that enhance soil fertility and plant growth. The second part of the book discusses 23 fungal genera used in agriculture for the management of plant diseases and plant growth promotion. Covering a wide range of bacteria and fungi on biocontrol and plant growth promoting properties, the book will help researchers, academics and advanced students in agro-ecology, plant microbiology, pathology, entomology, and nematology. - Presents a comprehensive collection of agriculturally important bacteria and fungi - Provides foundational knowledge of each core organism utilized in agro-ecology - Identifies the genera of agriculturally important microorganisms

Biocontrol and Secondary Metabolites: Applications and Immunization for Plant Growth and Protection covers established and updated research on emerging trends in plant defense signaling in, and during, stress phases. Other topics cover growth at interface as a sustainable way of life and the context of human welfare and conservation of fungi as a group of organisms. Further, the book explores induced systemic resistance using biocontrol agents and/or secondary metabolites as a milestone for sustainable agricultural production, thus providing opportunities for the minimization or elimination of the use of fungicides. - Presents an overview on mechanisms by which plants protect themselves against herbivory and pathogenic microbes - Identifies the use of immunization as a popular and effective alternative to chemical pesticides - Explores how these fungi help crop plants in better uptake of soil nutrients, increase soil fertility, produce growth promoting substances, and secrete metabolites that act as bio-pesticides

This field manual is designed to provide background and instruction on a broad spectrum of techniques and their use in the evaluation of entomopathogens in the field. The second edition provides updated information and includes two additional chapters and 12 new contributors. The intended audience includes researchers, graduate students, practitioners of integrated pest management (IPM), regulators and those conducting environmental impact studies of entomopathogens.

The Lichens covers the structure and development, physiology of the intact thallus, environmental response and effects, secondary metabolic products, and symbiont interactions of lichens. This book is divided into five parts encompassing 19 chapters. It also includes appendices consist of a taxonomic scheme, methods for isolating and culturing lichen symbionts and thalli, and methods for isolating and identifying lichen substances. The first part of this book describes the original fungal cell and its development into specialized cells of which the various tissues and thalli are composed. This is followed by discussions on sexual reproduction of ascolichens and basidiolichens and on systematic criteria for the definition of taxa in different hierarchical steps. This book also explains the types of propagules produced by lichens and the submicroscopical investigations of lichens, including phycobiont and mycobionts' substructure and symbiotic relationship. The second part of this book examines the physiological aspects of lichens. It includes discussions on metal cation uptake and translocation in vascular plants and on lichens' role in rock weathering and soil formation. This part also studies photosynthetic rates and nitrogen absorption and metabolism by the intact thallus of lichens. Succeeding chapters discuss physiological and morphological responses of lichens to the most important environmental factors and the relationship of these factors to lichen distribution. Substrate preferences of lichens and their causes and implications with regard to the ecology, distribution, and taxonomy of lichens are also examined. This text also discusses lichen thalli growth, methods of measurement, and factors influencing growth. Finally, the concluding parts deal with the biosynthesis of lichen substances, secondary metabolic products, and symbiotic relations of lichens to fungi and algae. This multi-authored book is an ideal source of information for researchers, teachers, and students who wish to broaden their knowledge in the diversity of lichenology.