Plant Pathology Concepts and Laboratory Exercises, Second Edition

Revised and updated with new concepts, case studies, and laboratory exercises, Plant Pathology Concepts and Laboratory Exercises, Second Edition supplies highly detailed and accurate information in a well-organized and accessible format. New additions to the second edition include five new topic and exercise chapters on soilborne pathogens, molecular tools, biocontrol, and plant-fungal interactions, information on in vitro pathology, an appendix on plant pathology careers, and how to use and care for the microscope. An accompanying cd-rom contains figures from the text as well as supplemental full-color photos and PowerPoint slides.

Unique Learning Tools

Retaining the informal style of the previous edition, this volume begins each topic with a concept box to highlight important ideas. Several laboratory exercises support each topic and cater to a wide range of skill sets from basic to complex. Procedure boxes for the experimental exercises give detailed outlines and comments on the experiments, step by step instruction, anticipated results, and thought provoking questions. Case studies of specific diseases and processes are presented as a bulleted list supplying essential information at a glance.

Comprehensive Coverage

Divided into six primary parts, this valuable reference introduces basic concepts of plant pathology with historical perspectives, fundamental ideas of disease, and disease relationships with the environment. It details various disease-causing organisms including viruses, prokaryotic organisms, plant parasitic nematodes, fungi, plant parasitic seed plants, and other biotic and abiotic diseases. Exploring various plant-pathogen interactions including treatments of molecular attack strategies, extracellular enzymes, host defenses, and disruption of plant function, the book presents the basic ideas of epidemiology, control strategies, and disease diagnosis.

"There are many plant pathology textbooks on the market but few with this combination of features. It starts with basic introductory concepts then proceeds through the major groups of pathogens. These are interspersed with laboratory exercise chapters. Other chapters contain case studies, which illustrate the main text. There is a good glossary, and the index is reasonably comprehensive. It was very good to see a section on basics like proper use of stereo and compound microscopes. Tables and figures are all well set out and informative. The laboratory exercise chapters are well presented with sequences of experiments and procedures, lists of materials, anticipated results sections and questions. The text of the non-laboratory exercise chapters is informative, reads well and is sufficiently comprehensive without going into too much detail. The diagnostics chapter is adequate for beginners. As all chapters are adequately referenced with further suggested reading and sometimes websites, this should direct any reader requiring more detail. ... a good source of ideas and information for more bespoke course material to be developed, and the book comes with a CD with PowerPoint versions of the illustrations in the chapters, which are very useful for preparing lectures for such courses. ... Overall a very useful textbook."

―Adrian Newton in Experimental Agriculture

"The CRC Press has an enviable reputation for producing a varied succession of bestselling, yet often staid, reference books; however, this edition is attractive as well as instructive. Invaluable for anyone, even novices, it can re-educate the more experienced practitioner in current concepts and techniques. The bullet point summaries beginning the chapters on concepts link to the associated practical chapters. These are great fun and should encourage confidence to tackle more complex investigations later..."

―Roland Fox, University of Reading