Reference in this publication to a trademark, proprietary product, or company name by personnel of the U.S. Department of Agriculture or anyone else is intended for explicit description only and does not imply approval or recommendation to the exclusion of others that may be suitable. --Book Jacket.

Diseases caused by Fusarium and their control; The fungus Fusarium: ecology; The fungus Fusarium: genetics and cytology; The fungus Fusarium: Physiology and histopathology; The fungus Fusarium: Taxonomy.

The future of agriculture strongly depends on our ability to enhance productivity without sacrificing long-term production potential. An ecologically and economically sustainable strategy is the application of microorganisms, such as the diverse bacterial species of plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB). The use of these bio-resources for the enhancement of crop productivity is gaining worldwide importance. “Bacteria in Agrobiology: Plant Nutrient Management” focus on the management of plant nutrient to support plant growth and development. The topics treated in this book include mechanisms of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria, zinc and phosphate solubilizing microorganisms, sulfur oxidizing bacteria, ACC deaminase, siderophores, phytohormones, quorum-sensing, biofilms, antibiotics, volatiles, denitrification and integrated nutrient management.

Contains a tribute to Paul E. Nelson, plus biographical information.

For the first time in over 20 years, a comprehensive collection of photographs and descriptions of species in the fungal genus Fusarium is available. This laboratory manual provides an overview of the biology of Fusarium and the techniques involved in the isolation, identification and characterization of individual species and the populations in which they occur. It is the first time that genetic, morphological and molecular approaches have been incorporated into a volume devoted to Fusarium identification. The authors include descriptions of species, both new and old, and provide protocols for genetic, morphological and molecular identification techniques. The Fusarium Laboratory Manual also includes some of the evolutionary biology and population genetics thinking that has begun to inform the understanding of agriculturally important fungal pathogens. In addition to practical “how-to” protocols it also provides guidance in formulating questions and obtaining answers about this very important group of fungi. The need for as many different techniques as possible to be used in the identification and characterization process has never been greater. These approaches have applications to fungi other than those in the genus Fusarium. This volume presents an introduction to the genus Fusarium, the toxins these fungi produce and the diseases they can cause. "The Fusarium Laboratory Manual is a milestone in the study of the genus Fusarium and will help bridge the gap between morphological and phylogenetic taxonomy. It will be used by everybody dealing with Fusarium in the Third Millenium." --W.F.O. Marasas, Medical Research Council, South Africa

The book provides a comprehensive record of current knowledge on the nature of Fusarium head blight, the damage it causes, and current research on how to control it. The book begins with a historical account of Fusarium head blight epidemics that gives context to recent attempts to control epidemics in wheat and barley. A review of pathogen taxonomy and population biology helps scientists to see relationships among head blight pathogens and other Fusarium species. The information on epidemiology included in this review also provides an understanding of the weather conditions and cultural practices that promote explosive epidemics. New information on infection processes will lead the reader to a better understanding of how to breed for resistance in wheat and barley.

Wheat breeders have achieved significant results over the last fifty years in research on mankind's one of the most important crops. Classical genetic and breeding methods, far broader international cooperation than was experienced in earlier periods, and improvements in agronomic techniques have led to previously unimaginable development in the utilisation of wheat for human consumption. The contribution of wheat researchers is particularly noteworthy since these results have been achieved at a time when the world population has grown extremely dynamically. Despite this demographic explosion, of a proportion never previously experienced, thousands of millions of people have been saved from starvation, thus avoiding unpredictable social consequences and situations irreconcilable with human dignity. Despite these developments in many regions of the world food supplies are still uncertain and the increase in the world's wheat production has not kept pace with the population increase during the last decade. Due to the evils of civilisation and the pollution of the environment there is a constant decline in the per capita area of land suitable for agricultural production. Based on population estimates for 2030, the present wheat yield of around 600 million tonnes will have to be increased to almost 1000 million tonnes if food supplies are to be maintained at the present level.

Disease resistance is one of the major factors that can be improved to sustain yield potential in cultivated crops. This book looks at disease resistance in wheat, concentrating on all the economically important diseases - their economic impact and geographical spread, breeding for resistance, pathogen variability, resistance mechanisms and recent advances made on resistance genes. Newer strategies for identifying resistance genes and identify resistance mechanisms are discussed, including cloning, gene transfer and the use of genetically modified plants. It is suitable for researchers and stu.