Diseases of Plantation Crops

The diseases that affect plantation crops reduce productivity and quality affecting growers profitability and domestic and international trade. The chapters in the book provides an up to date and detailed account of the diseases that affect arecanut, black pepper, cardamom, coconut, cocoa, coffee, ginger, tea, rubber, turmeric and vanilla. The detailed information on occurrence and distribution, economic impact, disease signs, causal agents, host-pathogen-environment interactions, pathogen survival and spread and disease progression of each disease is presented in this book. The emphasis has been given to adopt integrated disease management approaches involving cultural, crop management, host resistance, biological and chemical methods to reduce cost of production in sustainable manner. Colour photographs are included in each chapter for easy identification of disease. Molecular identification of exotic diseases that are a bio-security threat to Indian plantation industry have been included, where ever required for their avoidance and management. We hope that this compilation would serve as a valuable reference book for any one interested in disease management in plantation crops.