The title of this book is completely misleading, it rather should read ‘Diagnosis of Fungal Plant Pathogens’. It presents in extenso diagnostic tests and tools to detect and identify fungal plant pathogens and diseases.
The foreword gives a short review of the tremendous development in this field which has taken place in recent years. Whereas early classical methods according to Koch's principles were to describe symptoms, isolate the pathogen if possible and infest a healthy plant which should show identical symptoms, these can be supplemented today by modern serological and molecular methods. The book describes in detail the different approaches possible.
Chapter 1 ‘Introduction to Fungal Pathogens’ does not really cover this subject but rather presents some short remarks on relevant advances in molecular biology, changes in agricultural practices, pesticides, taxonomy etc. Chapter 2 ‘Examination of Plant Material’ points out principles to be followed with respect to symptom recognition, sampling, recording of information etc.
The corresponding protocols present in detail the materials and chemicals required and the procedures to be followed:
For chapter 2: (
Chapter 3 ‘Detection of Fungal Plant Pathogens from Plants, Soil, Water and Air’ is supplemented by respective protocols with details on (
Chapter 4 presents ‘Detection of Fungal Plant Pathogens in Seeds’ with the respective protocols describing materials and methods required.
Chapter 5 ‘Identification of Fungi Based on Morphological Characteristics’ discusses at first some general information and than more details for some common groups of fungal pathogens. The procedures to be used are described in detail for Plasmodiophora brassicae, Phytopthora spp, downy mildews, powdery mildews, Colletotrichum spp, Monilinia spp., smut fungi, Armillaria spp., rust fungi and Fusarium spp.
Chapter 6 ‘Cultural Characterisation’ describes effects of physical and chemical factors on fungal physiology, followed by respective protocols including fungicide sensitivity testing. Chapter 7 ‘Serological Techniques for Diagnosis’ introduces ELISA, immunofluorescence IF, and lateral flow device LFD technologies with detailed protocols for the different procedures.
Chapter 8 ‘Nucleic Acid‐based Techniques for Diagnosis’ gives information on DNA extraction from fungal mycelium or spores, on conventional polymerase chain reaction PCR and on real‐time PCR, with specific details in the protocols.
Chapter 9 covers ‘Finger Printing Techniques’ including restriction fragment length polymorphism RFLP, amplified fragment length polymorphism AFLP, simple sequence repeats SSRs and single nucleotide polymorphism analysis SNP. Data for materials and procedures to be used are given in the protocols.
The following chapters comprise more general, classical aspects. Chapter 10 ‘Maintenance and Storage of Fungal Plant Pathogens’, 12) Quality Assurance and Quality Systems’, each with respective protocols. Appendix (
Each chapter with the attached protocols is supplemented with the corresponding literature. The photographs provided are mostly of minor quality and some not really necessary. In contrast, chapter 5 on morphological characteristics lacks any illustrations.
The book will be useful for laboratories involved in diagnosis of plant diseases and also for students specializing in Plant Pathology.
By Rudolf Heitefuss
