Histology Ultrastructure And Molecular Cytology Of Plant Microorganism Interactions

Plants interact with a large number of microoganisms which have a major impact on their growth either by establishing mutually beneficial symbiotic relationships or by developing as pathogens at the expense of the plant with deleterious effects. These microorganisms differ greatly not only in their nature (viruses, phytoplasmas, bacteria, fungi, nematodes, ... ) but also in the way they contact, penetrate and invade their host. Histology and cytology have brought an essential contribution to our knowledge of these phenomena. They have told us for instance, how specialized structures of the pathogen are often involved in the adhesion and penetration into the plant, how the interface between both organisms is finely arranged at the cellular level, or what structural alterations affect the infected tissues. They have thus set the stage for the investigations of the underlying molecular mechanisms could be undertaken. Such investigations have been remarkably successful in the recent years, expanding considerably our understanding of plant-microorganism interactions in terms of biochemical changes, rapid modifications of enzymatic activities, coordinated gene activation, signal reception and transduction. Biochemistry, molecular biology and cellular physiology have taken precedence in the phytopathologist's set of methods.

What makes the fungal cell unique among eukaryotes and what features are shared? This volume addresses some of the most prominent and fascinating facets of questions as they pertain to the growth and development of both yeast and hyphal forms of fungi, beginning with subcellular components – then cell organization, polarity, growth, differentiation and beyond – to the cell biology of spores, biomechanics of invasive growth, plant pathogenesis, mycorrhizal symbiosis and colonial networks. Throughout, structural, molecular and ecological aspects are integrated to form a contemporary look at the biology of the fungal cell.

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.

Established almost 30 years ago, Methods in Microbiology is the most prestigious series devoted to techniques and methodology in the field. Now totally revamped, revitalized, with a new format and expanded scope, Methods in Microbiology will continue to provide you with tried and tested, cutting-edge protocols to directly benefit your research. Focuses on the methods most useful for the microbiologist interested in the way in which bacteria cause disease Includes section devoted to 'Approaches to characterising pathogenic mechanisms' by Stanley Falkow Covers safety aspects, detection, identification and speciation Includes techniques for the study of host interactions and reactions in animals and plants Describes biochemical and molecular genetic approaches Essential methods for gene expression and analysis Covers strategies and problems for disease control

In 1992 a Concerted Action Programme (CAP) was initiated by Peter Sijmons with the purpose of intensifying collaborations between 16 European laboratories working on plant-parasitic nematodes. The four-year programme entitled `Resistance mechanisms against plant-parasitic nematodes' focused on molecular aspects of the interaction between sedentary nematodes and plants on the model system Arabidopsis and on novel resistance strategies. Funding was provided mainly for exchange visits between collaborating laboratories and for the organization of annual meetings. During the last annual meeting which was held in May 1996 in Toledo, Spain, Carmen Fenoll initiated the production of this volume. The book presents a series of up-to-date reviews, each written by one of the participating laboratories, which include the scientific progress achieved in the frame of this CAP but are by no means limited in scope to this work.

This book brings together twelve chapters on fungal pathogens with the goal of presenting an overview of the current areas of activity and the common themes that pervade research on these important organisms. The timing of the book is appropriate because we have gained sufficient insight from molecular genetic analyses to begin to make some comparisons between different fungal pathogens and to discuss the key advances that have been made. The chapters provide a broad survey of the important topics in fungal pathogenesis including morphogenesis, virulence, avirulence, and signaling. The reader also will fmd clear discussions of parasitism, mutualism, symbiosis, evolution, phylogeny and ecology for those fungi where these issues are especially important. Finally, many of the chapters in this book illustrate the fact that we are on the verge of a revolution in our understanding of fungal pathogens because of the application of genomics to these organisms and their hosts. The fungi included in this book represent many of the most intensively investigated fungal pathogens of plants; in this regard, a chapter is also included for pathogens in the Phytophthora group, even though these organisms are no longer classified as fungi. It is appropriate to include Phytophthora for historical reasons and, in addition, the insights in terms of pathogenesis and host-specific interactions are important to keep in mind when considering fungal pathogens. Chapters are also included on pathogens of insects and humans, as well as endophytic fungi.

Plant-pathogen interactions is a rapidly developing area among the plant sciences. Molecular genetics has provided the tools to analyse and manipulate mechanisms of pathogenicity and resistance responses and has facilitated their study from the population to the molecular level. The book brings together the views of experts in the field and provides an overview of the genetic basis of interactions between fungi, bacteria, viruses and their host plants, the triggering of plant defences and the complex array of plant responses to stop pathogen invasion, as well as possible applications for improved plant protection. The chapters are organised and written to make an advanced textbook rather than simply a collection of reviews or something resembling conference proceedings. Thus, authors have largely concentrated on a didactic approach and the book should remain useable for several years in spite of the rapid progress in research. The text is aimed at advanced students in the field of plant pathology as well as researchers requiring an integrated picture of plant resistance to pathogens.

Mycorrhizal research has grown by leaps and bounds in the past few decades. These fungi promise to promote plant growth, maintain plant and soil health, assist in bio-protection against root diseases, encourage production with reduced fertilizer and pesticides, allow for nutrient acquisition, affect soil skeletal structure holding primary soil particles together, are conductive to the formation of microaggregate structures and higher rhizosphere populations, enable symbiosis that alters host water relations, as well as alter root length and architecture. These fungi also help with the re-vegetation of landscapes, golf courses or contaminated soils. They assist with the biological hardening of tissue culture raised plants, postpone leaf dehydration, draught responses, osmo-protecting enzymes and enhance P acquisition. AM symbiosis could conceivably affect any of these steps. AMF should be considered as an alternative to costly soil disinfection. The mechanisms by which fungi induce resistance in their hosts and enhance disease resistance need critical evaluation and examination. Editors see this volume as a tremendously valuable collection of specialized up-date chapters describing the most sophisticated and modern protocols in mycorrhizal research, thoroughly explained and synthesized.