Smut Fungi Of The World

"This outstanding book is an essential tool in helping the scientific community to identify smut fungi everywhere. It includes keys to the genera and species and a host plant-smut fungus list and compiles more than 3,500 micrographs and line drawings into a single sourcebook.This nearly 1,500-page treatise is authored by the worldwide authority on the subject, Dr. Kálmán Vánky, who has spent more than 50 years collecting and describing smut fungi species. The book provides complete and detailed presentations of species in 93 genera through descriptions and illustrations. The book updates our knowledge of valid scientific names and synonyms and provides taxonomic references and the host plant range of each species. Dr. Vánky's passion for the topic shines through on every page through the excellent illustrations and detailed descriptions which complement each other to make identification easier. Having all content in a single volume allows the reader to flip back and forth between similar looking fungi for detailed comparison and analysis"--Pub. desc.

In Illustrated Genera of Smut Fungi, Third Edition, the world's top authority on the topic, Dr. Kálmán Vánky, uses molecular phylogenetic analyses and extensive collecting activity to bring you a better and expanded classification of smut fungi. In this third edition, 104 recognized genera of smut fungi are identified, described and illustrated, compared to the second edition, in which 77 genera are identified. While Illustrated Genera presents many theoretical aspects in connection with smut fungi, it particularly helps readers recognize and identify in which genus it belongs. It also discusses problems with smut fungi classification, stimulating researchers to solve them. Identification is made easier in this edition through 116 black and white illustrations, amended descriptions, and a new key to the smut fungus genera, one based on host plant families. And with the help of the recently published Smut Fungi of the World, Dr. Vánky's complementary book on this important topic, the nearly 1,700 known species of smut fungi can be identified. This reference source provides stimulation and utility for all interested in mycology, phytopathology, taxonomy, and botany, including students, teachers, researchers, government- scientists, and even amateurs. Every diagnostic lab and agricultural library should have access to the new update of this classic manual. With more than 60 years of research and experience in the field of smut fungi, resulting in the description of more than 400 new species, 46 new genera, and 12 new families published in more than 225 papers and several books, Dr. Kálmán Vánky, world authority on the smut fungi, presents highly scientific work in an easily understandable form.

The variety of the mycological world is far greater than most people imagine. Tens of thousands of fungal species have been described and many more are known only from the abundance of their genes in soil and water. Fungi are hugely important as agents of wood decay in forests, and, as parasites, they have caused the deaths of millions of people by ravaging crops and reshaping natural ecosystems. Fungi perform a variety of essential functions in ecosystems, and are important to both agriculture and biotechnology. Their importance is now becoming better appreciated among scientists, though there is much still to be understood concerning their taxonomy and evolution. This Very Short Introduction highlights the variety and extraordinary natures of fungi, revealing the remarkable facts of fungal biology and the global significance of these enchanting organisms. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

This book is a guide and quick introduction to the literature on the biology and control of some 330 species of smut fungi and the diseases they cause. It represents the essential information on the subject matter contained in more than 3,000 scientific papers, bulletins, and books. The author's expectation is that his compilation will be valuable to those engaged in teaching, research, and extension work in plant pathology, mycology, agronomy, and botany. The purpose in preparing the book is to make quickly available what is known concerning any particular smuts fungus.

Fungal diseases have contributed to death and disability in humans, triggered global wildlife extinctions and population declines, devastated agricultural crops, and altered forest ecosystem dynamics. Despite the extensive influence of fungi on health and economic well-being, the threats posed by emerging fungal pathogens to life on Earth are often underappreciated and poorly understood. On December 14 and 15, 2010, the IOM's Forum on Microbial Threats hosted a public workshop to explore the scientific and policy dimensions associated with the causes and consequences of emerging fungal diseases.

Fungal world embodies diversified groups which colonize, multiply and survive in nature on many macro- and micro-ecological niches and substrates. Fungi are eukaryotic, achlorophyllous, filamentous or unicellular living organisms which are ubiquitous and cosmopolitan in distribution. Of the estimated 1.5 million fungal species, more than 98,000 fungal species have been described. Approximately 28,000 fungal species are reported from India. The fungi play an important role in biodegradation, recycling of organic matter, pharmaceutical industries, agriculture, medicine, industry, bioremediation, waste management and other activities. In India hardly we have database but for few a books on Indian fungi, compiled from time to time by some mycologists. The present book includes 16 chapters contributed by eminent mycologists. Chapters include data on diversity, taxonomy, ecology and application of Helicosporous fungi, genus Spegazzinia, Rusts and Smuts, Chaetomiaceae, Macrophomina, Rhizoctonia, Russula, wild edible fungi, poisonous mushrooms, insect fungi and other related aspects. This book will be very useful and a valuable addition to the existing literature on the same subject.