Disease Resistance in Plants, Second Edition, looks at genetic, epidemiologic, biochemical, and biometric principles for developing new cultivars possessing genetic resistance to diseases. It examines the nature of disease resistance and resistance genes, and it highlights the importance of stabilizing selection, sugar, biotrophy, and necrotrophy to obtain the greatest possible yields. Organized into 17 chapters, this volume begins with an overview of disease resistance in plants and the ways to develop disease-resistant variants. It then discusses unspecific resistance; the resistance gene paradox; susceptibility and resistance within narrow host taxa; phenotypic variation and gene numbers in host plants; discontinuous variation and cytoplasmic inheritance; and experimental difficulties in partitioning variance. The reader is also introduced to epistasis and the structure of virulence in pathogens; the notion of physiological race; how the pathogen adapts to the host; mutation in the pathogen from avirulence to virulence; horizontal and vertical resistance to disease and its epidemiological effects; and the link between protein polymorphism and vertical resistance. In addition, the book discusses genes for susceptibility in the host versus genes for avirulence (or virulence) in the pathogen; sink-induced loss of resistance; high-sugar disease processes and biotrophy; slow rusting of cereal crops; plant resistance against endemic disease; and the accumulation of resistance genes in heterogeneous host populations. This book will be useful to plant pathologists and plant breeders.

Induced or acquired resistance to disease in plants has been known for many years, but the phenomenon was studied in only a few laboratories until about a decade ago. Since then, there has been an increasing interest in induced resistance as a new, environmentally safe means of disease control, as well as a model for the study of the genes involved in host defence and the signals that control them. This increased interest led the editors of Induced Resistance to Disease in Plants to collect and summarise much of the current and older literature on the topic in a single volume. Each chapter covers its topic as comprehensively as possible, thus serving as a solid introduction to the literature, as well as expressing its writer's own views on the state of research in the area and giving an indication of where future research may lead. Induced Resistance to Disease in Plants addresses the biology of induced resistance in legumes, solanaceae, cucurbits and monocots, since these are the families that have received the most attention, followed by a discussion of the molecular basis of induced resistance, its genetic and evolutionary significance, and practical applications in disease control. The book will provide a background for those commencing work in the area, as well as a source of information for established workers who wish to learn about other areas of induced resistance.

Plant resistance to pathogens is one of the most important strategies of disease control. Knowledge of resistance mechanisms, and of how to exploit them, has made a significant contribution to agricultural productivity. However, the continuous evolution of new variants of pathogen, ana additional control problems posed by new crops and agricultural methods, creates a need for a corresponding increase in our understanding of resistance and ability to utilize it. The study of resistance mechanisms also has attractions from a purely academic point of view. First there is the breadth of the problem, which can be approached at the genetical, molecular, cellular, whole plant or population lev~ls. Often there is the possibility of productive exchange of ideas between different disciplines. Then there is the fact that despite recent advances, many of the mechanisms involved have still to be fully elucidated. Finally, and compared with workers in other areas of biology, the student of resistance is twice blessed in having as his subject the interaction of two or more organisms, with the intriguing problems of recognition, specificity and co-evolution which this raises.

Human population is escalating at an enormous pace and is estimated to reach 9.7 billion by 2050. As a result, there will be an increase in demand for agricultural production by 60–110% between the years 2005 and 2050 at the global level; the number will be even more drastic in the developing world. Pathogens, animals, and weeds are altogether responsible for between 20 to 40 % of global agricultural productivity decrease. As such, managing disease development in plants continues to be a major strategy to ensure adequate food supply for the world. Accordingly, both the public and private sectors are moving to harness the tools and paradigms that promise resistance against pests and diseases. While the next generation of disease resistance research is progressing, maximum disease resistance traits are expected to be polygenic in nature and controlled by selective genes positioned at putative quantitative trait loci (QTLs). It has also been realized that sources of resistance are generally found in wild relatives or cultivars of lesser agronomic significance. However, introgression of disease resistance traits into commercial crop varieties typically involves many generations of backcrossing to transmit a promising genotype. Molecular marker-assisted breeding (MAB) has been found to facilitate the pre-selection of traits even prior to their expression. To date, researchers have utilized disease resistance genes (R-genes) in different crops including cereals, pulses, and oilseeds and other economically important plants, to improve productivity. Interestingly, comparison of different R genes that empower plants to resist an array of pathogens has led to the realization that the proteins encoded by these genes have numerous features in common. The above observation therefore suggests that plants may have co-evolved signal transduction pathways to adopt resistance against a wide range of divergent pathogens. A better understanding of the molecular mechanisms necessary for pathogen identification and a thorough dissection of the cellular responses to biotic stresses will certainly open new vistas for sustainable crop disease management. This book summarizes the recent advances in molecular and genetic techniques that have been successfully applied to impart disease resistance for plants and crops. It integrates the contributions from plant scientists targeting disease resistance mechanisms using molecular, genetic, and genomic approaches. This collection therefore serves as a reference source for scientists, academicians and post graduate students interested in or are actively engaged in dissecting disease resistance in plants using advanced genetic tools.

Plant pathogens and diseases are among the most significant challenges to survival that plants face. Disease outbreaks caused by microbial or viral pathogens can decimate crop yields and have severe effects on global food supply. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying plant immune response and applying this understanding to develop biotechnological tools to enhance plant defense against pathogens has great potential for moderating the impact of plant disease outbreaks. Plant Pathogen Resistance Biotechnology’s main focus is an in depth survey of the biological strategies being used to create transgenic disease resistant plants for sustainable plant resistance Plant Pathogen Resistance Biotechnology is divided into four sections. The first section covers biological mechanisms underpinning disease resistance in plants, while the second highlights case studies of important pathogen-crop groups and then considers why the application of important pathogen-crop groups, transgenic-based strategies designed to selectively target pathogens could benefit crop production. The third section provides information on the status of transgenic crops around the world, and finally the last part explores high-tech alternatives to genetic engineering for developing disease resistant traits in plants. Edited and authored by leaders in the field, Plant Pathogen Resistance Biotechnology will be an invaluable resource to those studying or researching plant biotechnology, plant pathology, plant biology, plant and crop genetics, in addition to crop science.

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Induced resistance offers the prospect of broad spectrum, long-lasting and potentially environmentally-benign disease and pest control in plants. Induced Resistance for Plant Defense 2e provides a comprehensive account of the subject, encompassing the underlying science and methodology, as well as research on application of the phenomenon in practice. The second edition of this important book includes updated coverage of cellular aspects of induced resistance, including signalling and defenses, costs and trade-offs associated with the expression of induced resistance, research aimed at integrating induced resistance into crop protection practice, and induced resistance from a commercial perspective. Current thinking on how beneficial microbes induce resistance in plants has been included in the second edition. The 14 chapters in this book have been written by internationally-respected researchers and edited by three editors with considerable experience of working on induced resistance. Like its predecessor, the second edition of Induced Resistance for Plant Defense will be of great interest to plant pathologists, plant cell and molecular biologists, agricultural scientists, crop protection specialists, and personnel in the agrochemical industry. All libraries in universities and research establishments where biological, agricultural, horticultural and forest sciences are studied and taught should have copies of this book on their shelves.

Chapter 1. Molecular Recognition Processes Between Plant and Bacterial Pathogens Physical Contact of Plant Cells is Necessary for Bacterial Recognition Molecules Responsible for Physical Contact Many Bacterial Pathogens Induce Necrosis on Hosts and Nonhosts Bacterial Pathogens Grow in Both Host and Nonhost Plants Bacterial Pathogens Induce Leakage of Nutrients in Both Host and Nonhost Plants Bacterial Genes Involved in Recognition of Hosts and Nonhosts Coregulation of hrp, avr and Other Pathogenicity Genes Transcription of Bacterial Pathogenicity Genes in Planta Plant-Derived Molecules May Be Involved in Induction of Bacterial Genes Some Plant Signals May Direct Synthesis of Elicitors Secretion of Elicitors From Bacterial Cells in Plants The Role of hrp and avr Genes in Early Recognition Process in Plant-Bacterial Pathogen Interactions Other Signal Molecules of Bacterial Pathogens The Signal Transduction System Systemic Signal Induction Is Cell Death Involved in Signal Transduction Pathway? How Pathogens Avoid or Overcome Host Defense Mechanisms Induced by the Signal Transduction System? Possible Role of Signal Transduction System in Evasion of Host Recognition by Phytopathogenic Bacteria During Pathogenesis Chapter 2. Host Defense Mechanisms: Cell Wall-the First Barrier and a Source of Defense Signal Molecules The First Barrier to Bacterial Infection in Plants Structure of the Plant Cell Wall Pectic Polysaccharides Cellulose Hemicellulos Cell Wall Proteins Bacterial Genes Encoding Extracellular Enzymes Bacterial Genes Regulating Production of Extracellular Enzymes Bacterial Genes Regulating Secretion of Extracellular Enzymes Secretion of Proteases The Signaling System in Induction of Bacterial Extracellular Enzymes Plant Cell Wall Components Involved in Defense Mechanisms Against Bacterial Pathogens Bacterial Extracellular Enzymes Induce Host Defense Mechanisms Pectic Fragments Induce Virulence Genes in Bacterial and Defense Genes in Plants Pectic Enzymes Vary in Inducing Resistance or Susceptibility Polygalacturonase-Inhibiting Proteins Cell Wall Modifications and Bacterial Disease Resistance Chapter 3. Active Oxygen Species Mechanism of Production of Active Oxygen Species Signals for Induction of Active Oxygen Species in Bacteria-Infected Plants Bacterial Infection Leads to Production of Active Oxygen Species in Plants Active Oxygen Species May Induce Lipid Peroxidation Increases in Active Oxygen Species Lead to Activation of Lipoxygenase Active Oxygen Species Production Leads to Cell Membrane Damage Active Oxygen Species May Directly Kill Bacterial Pathogens Bacterial Pathogens May Tolerate Toxicity of Active Oxygen Species Antioxidants of the Host May Protect Bacterial Pathogens Against Active Oxygen Species The Possible Role of Active Oxygen Species in Disease Resistance Chapter 4. Inducible Plant Proteins Nomenclature of Pathogen-Inducible Plant Proteins Occurrence of PR Proteins in Various Plants Classification of PR Proteins Bacterial Pathogens Induce PR Proteins Molecular Mechanisms of Induction of PR Proteins Compartmentalization of PR Proteins in Plant Tissues The Role of PR Proteins in Bacterial Disease Resistance The Second Group of Pathogen-Inducible Proteins: Constitutive, but Increasingly Induced Hydroxyproline-Rich Glycoproteins Lectins Not All Inducible Proteins Need Be Involved in Inducing Bacterial Disease Resistance Chapter 5. Inducible Secondary Metabolites What Are Inducible Secondary Metabolites? Bacterial Pathogens Induce Accumulation of Secondary Metabolites in Infected Tissues Phytoalexins Accumulate in Plants After Irreversible Cell Membrane Damage Phytoalexins Accumulate Only Locally and Not Systemically Mode of Syntheses of Phytoalexins Evidences That Induced Secondary Metabolites Are Involved in Bacterial Disease Resistance Phytoalexins May Be Suppressed, Degraded, or Inactivated in Susceptible Interactions Some Phytoalexins May Not Have Any Role in Disease Resistance Constitutive, but Induced Secondary Metabolites During Pathogenesis Chapter 6. Biotechnological Applications: Molecular Manipulation of Bacterial Disease Resistance Manipulation of Signal Transduction System for Induction of Disease Resistance Manipulation of Resistance Genes Involved in Signal Transduction System Manipulation of Signal Transduction System by Elicitors Manipulation of Signal Transduction System by Using Chemicals Manipulation of Signal Transduction System by Using Rhizobacterial Strains Manipulation of Signal Transduction System by Enhanced Biosynthesis of Salicylic Acid Manipulation of Signal Transduction System by Inducing Accelerated Cell Death Manipulation of Signal Transduction System by Enhanced Biosynthesis of Cytokinins Manipulation of Inducible Proteins for Induction of Bacterial Disease Resistance Suppression of Virulence Factors of Bacterial Pathogens to Manage Bacterial Diseases Exploitation of Insect Genes Encoding Antibacterial Proteins for Bacterial Disease Management Exploitation of Bacteriophage Genes for Bacterial Disease Management Exploitation of Genes from Human Beings, Hens, and Crabs for Management of Plant Bacterial Diseases References Index.

Studies in the Agricultural and Food Sciences: Plant Breeding for Pest and Disease Resistance presents a critical review of the development of resistant varieties of plant to pests and diseases. It discusses the economic impact of pests and diseases; the methods of controlling these pests and diseases; and the challenges being faced by a plant breeder. Some of the topics covered in the book are the general principles and methods of breeding for resistance; importance of parasite variability to the plant breeder; methods of testing for resistance; requirements for successful inoculation; production of resistant varieties; and economic importance of fungal diseases; and variability in fungal pathogen. Pathogenic fungi and fungal diseases are also covered. The control of fungal diseases by resistant varieties is discussed. An in-depth analysis of diseases in plants is provided. The characteristics of bacteria and bacterial diseases are also presented. A chapter is devoted to epidemiology of diseases associated with mycoplasma-like organisms and rickettsia-like organisms. The book can provide useful information to farmers, botanists, students, and researchers.

This volume offers a comprehensive coverage of the general principles and recent advances in fungicide resistance. It describes the development, mechanisms, monitoring, and management of resistance and covers the most important group of fungicides that have caused resistance on various crops. An historical review of fungicide resistance over the past 40 years sets the scene for up-to-date basic information on mode of action, as well as the genetics, mechanisms, and evolution of resistance. Monitoring for resistance, including the latest developments in molecular diagnostics, moves readers into the practical aspects of resistance management, which is dealt with through a series of case studies outlining fungicide-use strategies on several key crops. The chapters reflect the experience of authors internationally recognised for their significant contributions to fungicide resistance research. The majority of crop diseases are caused by fungal pathogens, and disease control relies heavily on chemically synthesized fungicides. However, modern fungicides often encounter the problem of resistance development in target pathogens. Thus pathogen resistance to fungicides is an important factor that causes loss of yield and quality of crops. It often threatens biosecurity through the decrease of fungicide efficacy in the fields. To manage fungicide resistance successfully will require the promotion of integrated disease management, involving not just chemical fungicides, but also host plant resistance, agronomic factors, and reliable biological control agents where these are available. Well referenced throughout, the book offers a comprehensive account of resistance, which will be useful as a source of material for lecturers and for both industrial and academic scientists involved in fungicide resistance research. It is also a valuable sourcebook for students.