In the preparation of this descriptive manual of the rust fungi of the grasses of the world the principal goal was to produce a system by which these important pathogens might be recognized on the basis of their morophology, without dependence on the identity of the host plant. This is an Utopian goal and, being Utopian, has doubtless not been attained. But it is better to have tried and partially failed than not to have tried at all. The first attempt to revise the classification on a new basis utilized the rust fungi of the tribe Andropogoneae. A "Group System" was initiated (Uredineana 4:5-89. 1953) based on the uredinial stage. The attempt was satisfactory at the time, but was not adaptable when all grass rust fungi were considered. Consequently, an expanded system was employed when I attempted a summarization of all grass rust fungi. The expanded scheme (Plant Disease Reporter Supplement 237:1-52. 1956) of 9 Groups proved to be a most helpful organizational system and is used here (see explanations, p. Xi) in Puccinia, Uromyces, and Uredo. The system is useful and does aggregate generally similar species, rather than segregating them as in a host-based arrangement. The characters used, i.e. presence or absence of paraphyses, arrangement of germ pores, and echinulate or verrucose spore surface, are subject to minimal intergradations.

In the preparation of this descriptive manual of the rust fungi of the grasses of the world the principal goal was to produce a system by which these important pathogens might be recognized on the basis of their morophology, without dependence on the identity of the host plant. This is an Utopian goal and, being Utopian, has doubtless not been attained. But it is better to have tried and partially failed than not to have tried at all. The first attempt to revise the classification on a new basis utilized the rust fungi of the tribe Andropogoneae. A "Group System" was initiated (Uredineana 4:5-89. 1953) based on the uredinial stage. The attempt was satisfactory at the time, but was not adaptable when all grass rust fungi were considered. Consequently, an expanded system was employed when I attempted a summarization of all grass rust fungi. The expanded scheme (Plant Disease Reporter Supplement 237:1-52. 1956) of 9 Groups proved to be a most helpful organizational system and is used here (see explanations, p. Xi) in Puccinia, Uromyces, and Uredo. The system is useful and does aggregate generally similar species, rather than segregating them as in a host-based arrangement. The characters used, i.e. presence or absence of paraphyses, arrangement of germ pores, and echinulate or verrucose spore surface, are subject to minimal intergradations.

Morphology and taxonomy of rust fungi; Axenic culture and metabolism of rust fungi; Genetics of host-pathogen ineractions in rust; Physiology and biochemistry of spore germination; Biochemistry of host rust interactions; Host defense mechanisms against infection by rust fungi; Chemical and biological control of cereal rusts.

The Cereal Rusts, Volume II: Diseases, Distribution, Epidemiology, and Control is a compendium of papers that aims to control cereal rusts through principles about the nature of the disease, as well as learned strategies toward its control. These papers deal with the major cereal rust diseases such as wheat and rye stem rust, wheat leaf rust, stripe rust, oat stem rust, barley leaf rust. Control of these types of rust diseases include cultural methods, barberry eradication, crop resistance, fungicides, and ecological controls. One paper notes that cultivars, a plant variety developed through selective breeding, should be used. The key to its development with long-lasting resistance is diversity, namely, genetic diversity in resistance types, and diversity in its strategic development, including a combination of race-specific with non-race specific resistance. For example, Parlevliet has pointed out that in natural ecosystems, race-specific resistance can protect the host plant by rendering the pathogen population less aggressive. One paper also examines the use of chemicals for rust disease control in the United States. This compendium is ideally suited for the cytologists, physiologists, biochemists, geneticists, epidemiologists, taxonomists, and cereal plant pathologists.

An extensive volume of Sugarcane Diseases and their World Distribution (Vol. I) was published by Elsevier under the auspices of the International Society of Sugar Cane Technologists in 1961. The present volume was intended to be a new edition of the book, but so many changes were required that a new book was needed. Only three chapters have been kept with slight amendments. The other chapters have been completely re-written. In fact with changes in importance of major diseases, four diseases previously treated have been left out; on the other hand, three new topics have been included in the new book, two new diseases and a chapter on sugarcane quarantine.The first chapter gives a brief account of the anatomy, morphology and physiology of the sugarcane plant to facilitate terminology and especially for a better appreciation of the effect of disease on the growth of the crop. Diseases are extensively treated as in Volume I, with a very good description of their symptoms and variation under different conditions and severity, all well illustrated by black and white figures and in a set of colour plates at the end of the book which will prove of valuable help for identification. The causal agents of the diseases are described giving synonyms, cultural characteristics, isolation methods and present knowledge on race variation, an aspect on which there has been quite an advance in knowledge since Volume I was published. New techniques of diagnosis are also given. Advances in research on the diseases over the last 25 years are well covered and supported by an extensive bibliography at the end of each chapter.The book has been edited by people having first hand experience in the field and in research on these diseases. Authors have been selected from among the most knowledgeable all over the sugar cane world, especially with due regard to the importance of the different diseases in their countries.The book should prove of immense value to those concerned with practical aspects of plant disease control in the field: pathologists, agronomists and crop specialists, including consultants, to those concerned with quarantine of the crop, for university lectures and students, and research scientists.In a pre-publication review D.J. Heinz and S.A. Ferreira of the Hawaiian Sugar Planters' Association stated: ``Much has changed and new information generated since the original version of this book was published in 1961. This new edition incorporates most of it, providing both the laboratory and field sugarcane pathologist a complete and authoritative guide to the major sugarcane diseases of the world. It is the best single book available on sugarcane diseases.''

This essential handbook for student and practicing plant pathologists has been thoroughly reorganized and updated since the publication of the second edition in 1983. The new edition includes: rearrangement of topics to facilitate use; 49 short succinct chapters, each providing valuable practical information; new topics such as landmarks in plant pathology, survey of sampling procedures, disease evaluation, effects of climate change, biochemical and molecular techniques, epidemic modelling, breeding for resistance, laboratory safety and electronic databases; seven overall sections covering disease recognition and evaluation, causation, diagnosis, investigation, control, general techniques, and presentation of results.

Standard reference provides full, compact descriptions of fungal pathogens and diseases they cause. Alphabetically arranged with copious references to the literature, nearly 9000 in all. Also, an excellent appendix of host plants, their major and minor pathogens, selected references, list of common and botanical names of host plants and two indexes of fungi.