Paul Bridge - Böcker

This volume contains a series of contributions from established European researchers which consider aspects of molecular variability in fungal pathogens. Chapters are derived from a workshop held in Evian, France, in September 1997, supported by the EU Concerted Action Air 3-CT94-2448. The volume is divided into three sections. The first includes contributions which consider and review the major mechanisms involved, the second details specific studies on variability in populations of different fungal pathogens, and the third includes contributions on methods for interpreting such variability. The workshop was intended to bring together methods and understanding from a wide range of fungal pathogens, and this is reflected in the volume where individual contributions include case studies and reviews of populations of fungi pathogenic on insects and nematodes as well as plant and human pathogens. The combination of mechanisms, characterisation and interpretation across a wide range of applied mycology makes this a significant general text for those working on molecular characterisation. The broad spectrum of topics provides a multidisciplinary reference source within mycology and the book will be suitable for postgraduate students and research scientists in applied mycology, including plant pathology, medical mycology and biological control.

Diseases caused by Ganoderma species cause major losses of palms and other perennial crops throughout the world, and these are particularly significant in Asia. Successive replanting of crop monocultures can be rapidly exploited by soil borne fungi such as Ganoderma, and the problem will become more serious in the 21st century, as more areas become due for second or even third replanting. Environmental considerations will reduce exploitation of new forest areas, making further replanting of these crops inevitable. Thus, appropriate, integrated management systems for these diseases are vital. However, the development of such control measures has been hampered in the past by a limited knowledge of the nature and inter-relationships of populations of different hosts and the mechanisms of disease establishment and spread.This book aims to address these limitations through enhanced knowledge of the biology and taxonomy of Ganoderma species. The use of molecular and biochemical methods can be used to provide a greater understanding of the spread of the pathogen, and consequently, the improved management of disease.

Methods in microbial systematics have developed and changed significantly in the last 40 years. This has resulted in considerable change in both the defining microbial species and the methods required to make reliable identifications. Developments in information technology have enabled ready access to vast amounts of new and historic data online. Establishing both the relevance, and the most appropriate use, of this data is now a major consideration when undertaking identifications and systematic research. This book provides some insights into how current methods and resources are being used in microbial systematics, together with some thoughts and suggestions as to how both methodologies and concepts may develop in the future. It includes coverage of: The philosophy and changes in microbial systematics, including the relevance of names, new concepts of species, and the issues encountered with species that cannot be grown in culture. The application of new identification technologies, specifically those based on nucleic acids and complex chemo-taxonomic methods. The challenges of using published databases and other data resources in arriving at an identification appropriate to current species concepts. The practical requirements of an identification: obtaining and verifying reference cultures and data, and the type and level of identification required by different users. This book is suitable for academic researchers, scientists involved with identification or survey, microbiologists, students and extension workers.

The fungal genus Ganoderma includes around 80 currently recognized species that are widely distributed in temperate, subtropical and tropical regions, and cause disease in a range of economically important perennial crops and tree-like plants. Ganoderma root and lower stem rots have a significant impact on yields from crops including oil palm, coconut, beverage crops, Acacia and rubber. The identification of species responsible for stem and butt rots is often ambiguous as closely related species may only be distinguished by subtle morphological differences. Within species there can be considerable morphological plasticity and this can make morphology-based identification difficult, particularly for species described from a single specimen. Molecular techniques are helping to slowly resolve Ganoderma taxonomy but it will be some time (if ever) before the taxonomy is fully resolved. This book brings together information on Ganoderma species that are reported to be responsible for crop diseases in tropical and sub-tropical agriculture and covers taxonomy, biology, genetics, aetiology, epidemiology and control. This book is an essential resource for researchers in Ganoderma in crop science and tropical agriculture, as well as practitioners and industry.