This book aims to present the latest advances in the application of plant biotechnology and molecular biology in disease management. Among these, molecular techniques can be used to accelerate the detection and identification of pests and pathogens in plants. Also, the identification of resistance genes, characterization of desired resistance genes, and transfer of resistance gene(s) into plants have been performed by applying molecular techniques. The book will collect chapters exploring emerging areas of plant biotechnology including RNAi technology, genetic engineering, GWAS, CRISPR, and nanobiotechnology, and their applications in plant disease management and provides the latest concepts and advances in the field of plant pathology, including detection, identification, characterization, classification and diagnosis, host resistance, disease forecasting, management of plant pests and pathogens, and plant biotechnological approaches. This book offers a valuable reference for educators, students, and researchers in all disciplines of the agricultural sciences, life sciences, and biotechnology at universities, research institutions, and biotechnology companies.

As agricultural production increases to meet the demands of a growing world population, so has the pace of biotechnology research to combat plant disease. Diseases can be caused by a variety of complex plant pathogens including fungi, bacteria, viruses and nematodes, and their management requires the use of techniques in transgenic technology, biochemistry and genetics. While texts exist on specific pathogens or management practices, a comprehensive review is needed of recent developments in modern techniques and the understanding of how pathogens cause disease. This collection of studies discusses the key approaches to managing each group of pathogens within the context of recent developments in biotechnology. Broad themes include microbe-plant interactions, molecular diagnostics of plant pathogens and enhancing the resistance of plants.

Using molecular methods for plant disease diagnosis provides diagnosticians with a number of advantages over more traditional methods. They can allow the identification of morphologically similar species, for example, or the detection of infection prior to symptom formation. Not only can molecular tools help by increasing the efficacy, accuracy and speed of diagnosis; their common technological basis provides further benefits, especially where resources are limited and traditional skills are hard to sustain. This book provides protocols for nucleic acid-based methods currently applied to plant pathogen detection and identification. It takes the practitioner through the full range of molecular diagnostic and detection methods and, as these generic techniques are appropriate for use on any target with minimal modification, also provides a useful resource for students of plant pathology and plant pathologists. Beginning with the background and future directions of the science, it then addresses DNA barcoding, microarrays, polymerase chain reactions (PCR), quality assurance and more, forming a complete reference on the subject.

Addressing the most critical issues in the management of emerging diseases throughout the world, experts in plant pathology from internationally renowned institutes share their research and examine key literature. They look at both traditional pathology and advanced biotechnological and molecular diagnosis, and integrated management practices. This book is divided into four parts, covering viral and fungal disease detection and management, nematode diseases and management, bio-control, and biotechnological approaches and impact of climate change. The authors look at the challenges of crop protection against diseases caused by plant pathogens for the most economically important crops. The establishment and management of plant diseases using conventional and eco-friendly methods are discussed with an emphasis on the use of beneficial microbes and modern biotechnological approaches.

Investigations on various aspects of plant-pathogen interactions have the ultimate aim of providing information that may be useful for the development of effective crop disease management systems. Molecular techniques have accelerated the formulation of short- and long-term strategies of disease management. Exclusion and eradication of plant pathogens by rapid and precise detection and identification of microbial pathogens in symptomatic and asymptomatic plants and planting materials by employing molecular methods has been practiced extensively by quarantines and certification programs with a decisive advantage. Identification of sources of resistance genes, cloning and characterization of desired resistance genes and incorporation of resistance gene(s) into cultivars and transformation of plants with selected gene(s) have been successfully performed by applying appropriate molecular techniques. Induction of resistance in susceptible cultivars by using biotic and abiotic inducers of resistance is a practical proposition for several crops whose resistance levels could not be improved by breeding or transformation procedures. The risks of emergence of pathogen strains less sensitive or resistant to chemicals have been reduced appreciably by rapid identification of resistant strains and monitoring the occurrence of such strains in different geographical locations.

Molecular Aspects of Plant Beneficial Microbes in Agriculture explores their diverse interactions, including the pathogenic and symbiotic relationship which leads to either a decrease or increase in crop productivity. Focusing on these environmentally-friendly approaches, the book explores their potential in changing climatic conditions. It presents the exploration and regulation of beneficial microbes in offering sustainable and alternative solutions to the use of chemicals in agriculture. The beneficial microbes presented here are capable of contributing to nutrient balance, growth regulators, suppressing pathogens, orchestrating immune response and improving crop performance. The book also offers insights into the advancements in DNA technology and bioinformatic approaches which have provided in-depth knowledge about the molecular arsenal involved in mineral uptake, nitrogen fixation, growth promotion and biocontrol attributes.

Investigations on various aspects of plant-pathogen interactions have the ultimate aim of providing information that may be useful for the development of effective crop disease management systems. Molecular techniques have accelerated the formulation of short- and long-term strategies of disease management. Exclusion and eradication of plant pathogens by rapid and precise detection and identification of microbial pathogens in symptomatic and asymptomatic plants and planting materials by employing molecular methods has been practiced extensively by quarantines and certification programs with a decisive advantage. Identification of sources of resistance genes, cloning and characterization of desired resistance genes and incorporation of resistance gene(s) into cultivars and transformation of plants with selected gene(s) have been successfully performed by applying appropriate molecular techniques. Induction of resistance in susceptible cultivars by using biotic and abiotic inducers of resistance is a practical proposition for several crops whose resistance levels could not be improved by breeding or transformation procedures. The risks of emergence of pathogen strains less sensitive or resistant to chemicals have been reduced appreciably by rapid identification of resistant strains and monitoring the occurrence of such strains in different geographical locations.