The field of Phytobacteriology is rapidly advancing and changing, because of recent advances in genomics and molecular plant pathology, but also due to the global spread of bacterial plant diseases and the emergence of new bacterial diseases. So, there is a need to integrate understanding of bacterial taxonomy, genomics, and basic plant pathology that reflects state-of-the-art knowledge about plant-disease mechanisms. This book describes seventy specific bacterial plant diseases and presents up-to-date classification of plant pathogenic bacteria. It would be of great help for scientists and researchers in conducting research on ongoing projects or formulation of new research projects. The book will also serve as a text book for advanced undergraduate and postgraduate students of disciplines of Phytobacteriology and Plant Pathology. Contains latest and updated information of plant pathogenic bacteria till December 2018 Describes seventy specific bacterial diseases Presents classification of the bacteria and associated nomenclature based on Bergey’s Manual Systematic Bacteriology and International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology Discusses practical and thoroughly tested disease management strategies that would help in controlling enormous losses caused by these plant diseases Reviews role of Type I-VI secretion systems and peptide- or protein-containing toxins produced by bacterial plant pathogens Briefs about plants and plant products that act as carriers of human enteric bacterial pathogens, like emphasizing role of seed sprouts as a common vehicle in causing food-borne illness Dr B. S. Thind was ex-Professor-cum-Head, Department of Plant Pathology, Punjab Agricultural University Ludhiana, India. He has 34 years of experience in teaching, research, and transfer of technology. He has conducted research investigations on bacterial blight of rice, bacterial stalk rot of maize, bacterial blight of cowpea, bacterial leaf spot of green gram, bacterial leaf spot of chillies and bacterial soft rot of potatoes. He also acted as Principal Investigator of two ICAR-funded research schemes entitled, "Detection and control of phytopathogenic bacteria from cowpea and mungbean seeds from 1981 to 1986 and "Perpetuation, variability, and control of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae, the causal agent of bacterial blight of rice" from 1989 to 1993, and also of a DST funded research scheme "Biological control of bacterial blight, sheath blight, sheath rot, and brown leaf spot of rice" from 1999 to 2002. He also authored a manual entitled, "Plant Bacteriology" and a text book entitled, "Phytopathogenic Procaryotes and Plant Diseases" published by Scientific Publishers (India). He is Life member of Indian Phytopathological Society, Indian Society of Plant Pathologists, Indian Society of Mycology and Plant Pathology, and Indian Science Congress Association.

The book makes a modest attempt to highlight the major achievements. The first chapter highlights the status of plant pathology in India before 1905 and sets the stage for an overview of the developments made in the last 100 years. Chapters on significant achievements and current status of knowledge has been contributed by leading experts on mycology, bacteriology, virology and nematology, and also on epidemiological research, fungicide research, biological control, host plant resistance against pathogens and on the application of biotechnological approaches for management of plant diseases. This covered the major broad areas of research in plant pathology. Besides, non conventional chapters encompassing the areas of international co-operation, policy issues and uncommon opportunities are also included along with the role of professional societies of plant pathology in India. Though the volume by no way is a complete account of the vast ocean of information available on various aspects of the subject, it is anticipated that the diverse areas covered in this volume will serve as a roadmap for the younger generation of plant pathologists and policy makers alike who have greater challenges ahead to resolve the pathological problems for augmenting production, ensuring bio-security and facilitating trade in under the changing global trade regime.

This book is based on the syllabus prescribed by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi, for the first and second year undergraduate students of plant pathology in State Agricultural and Horticultural Universities and hence, is of special importance to these students. The text, conveniently divided into 13 chapters, deals with fundamental aspects of plant pathology viz., scope and objectives, importance of plant diseases, history and development of plant pathology, theory of plant diseases, causes of plant diseases (biotic, abiotic and plant viruses with representative examples) symptoms, general characteristics of plant pathogens, classification of phytopathogens, growth and reproduction of plant pathogens including replication of plant viruses, liberation or dispersal of plant pathogens, their survival and types of parasitism and variability in plant pathogens. At the end of each chapter, important questions have been provided for the benefit of the students. Diagrams, convincing tables and suitable graphs/illustrations are furnished at appropriate places. A complete bibliography and apt subject index are appended at the end. Besides undergraduate students, this book will also serve as a basic guide to meet the requirement of teachers/researchers in plant pathology and related fields.

The book History of plant pathology depicts the historical events, discoveries and advancement made in the subject of plant pathology from the ancient era to till date and these are arranged into different eras viz. ancient era, medieval era, pre-modern era, modern era and present era which are useful to understand the development made on the subject of plant pathology and further scope of development and advancement in the subject. The major contributions made by pioneer workers in plant pathology around the world during these eras which had led the foundation for different branches of plant pathology are also given in the book. Besides the significant contribution made in each era for the developments of this subject, the book has additional chapters on the historical epidemics of important plant diseases around the world and its impact on human civilisations, and the historical crop yield losses due to plant diseases. The book also includes different Plant pathological societies and their development around the world to further strengthen the subject of plant pathology. Thus the book History of Plant Pathology is made interesting and of in-depth understanding to know the subject of plant pathology and further scope on the subject.

The book has 17 chapters dealing with recent developments in physiological and molecular plant pathology: the entry and establishment of pathogen, physiological disorders during the infection, mechanism of multiplication of the pathogens in the host and destabilization of the biochemical machinery of the host. The book deciphers the response and reactions of the host plant at molecular level. The chapter on ‘Mechanism of Disease Resistance’ explores its genetic basis, providing an insight into the breeding plants for disease resistance. The chapter entitled ‘Plant Pathology, Society, Ethics and Environment’ deals with all round views of applied plant pathology, issues of food safety and the role of plant pathology, bioterrorism, agroterrorism, biological warfare, etc. Four chapters comprehensively deal on latest molecular research work on: different approaches to unravel the mechanism of plant pathogenesis. The book (perhaps first such contribution) containing comprehensive text may be widely welcomed. Topics dealt in the book are relevant to the PG course content approved by ICAR in Plant Pathology and adopted in all the State Agricultural Universities (SAUs). The book has ‘Plant Pathology’ as a special paper in Botany and some chapters most relevant to ‘Plant Biotechnology’. The book also serves as a good reference and a text book for PG students and research scholars.

The book which has been brought out as per the syllabus of B.Sc.(Ag.) Degree course of the Agricultural Universities and will be of immense help and guidance to the students and researchers in Agriculture. Numerous illustrations have been given to enable the reader to understand the text easily and to make the study more intersting'