Mycoplasmas are the smallest of free-living organisms and are intermediate between viruses and bacteria. Many species thrive as parasites in animal (including human) hosts. This book is based on proceedings of a conference held in Palermo, Italy. It reviews some of the most important mycoplasma diseases of sheep, goats and cattle including contagious bovine pleuropneumonia, contagious agalactia and calf pneumonia, which are listed by the OIE because of their economic implications.

This fully-revised and enlarged fourth edition introduces the students to the basic and applied aspects of plant pathology and to the major diseases of crops and fruit trees in India. Latest developments in the molecular biology of diseased plants and control measures are incorporated in the book.

The diagnosis of plant disease; The microscope; The autoclave; The preparation of media for fungal and bacterial growth; Detection of fungal pathogens in infected plant tissues; Detection of bacterial pathogens in infected tissues; Koch's postulates; The diagnosis of a nematode prblem; Viruses and plant virus diseases; Mycoplasma as agents of plant disease.

This book and its companion, Volume I, concentrate on new procedures--especially those based on the new molecular methodology--developed within the past decade. This volume deals with the new genetic and immunological tools applied to the diagnosis of mycoplasma infections of humans, animals, plants, insects, and all cultures. Volume I outlines the approaches, techniques, and procedures applied to cell and molecular biology studies of mycoplasmas. - Diagnostic genetic probes - Immunological tools - Antibiotic sensitivity testing - Diagnosis of specific diseases - Experimental infections - Diagnosis of mycoplasma infections of cell cultures

It was a compliment to me to be asked to prepare the fourth edition of Westcott's Plant Disease Handbook, and the decision to accept the responsi bility for the fourth edition and now the fifth edition was not taken lightly. The task has been a formidable one. I have always had a great respect professionally for Dr. Cynthia Westcott. That respect has grown considerably with the completion of the two editions. I now fully realize the tremendous amount of effort expended by Dr. Westcott in developing the Handbook. A book such as this is never finished, since one is never sure that everything has been included that should be. I would quote and endorse the words of Dr. Westcott in her preface to the first edition: "It is easy enough to start a book on plant disease. It is impossible to finish it. " This revision of the Handbook retains the same general format contained in the previous editions. The chemicals and pesticides regulations have been updated; a few taxonomic changes have been made in the bacteria, fungi, and mistletoes; the changing picture in diseases caused by viruses and/or viruslike agents has been described. A few new host plants have been added, and many recently reported diseases as well as previously known diseases listed now on new hosts have been included. In addition, photographs have been replaced where possible, and the color photograph section has been retained.