Resistance of Crop Plants Against Fungi

Abstract

This multi-author book is designed to provide a comprehensive, up-to-date review of resistance to fungal diseases in major crops grown in temperate zones. It starts by considering the general principles of host–parasite interactions, essentially using a set of definitions expanded to highlight the reasoning behind them and the complexity of some of the interactions between terms. Too often one still sees ‘race specific’ indicated as synonymous with ‘monogenic’ and ‘hypersensitive’ resistance! Following this chapter, the book is split into four sections covering major themes, namely ‘Mechanisms by which pathogenic fungi recognise and attack their host plants’, ‘Mechanisms of resistance and their characterisation’, ‘Special types of resistance and their modification’ and ‘Epidemiological aspects and strategies of utilising resistant cultivars’. Within each of these sections, chapters by different authors consider different aspects of the themes. The first section includes chapters on fungal morphogenesis and enzyme secretion, and phytotoxins; the second, chapters on preformed barriers, cell wall modifications, hypersensitivity, resistance elicitors and suppressors, phytoalexins, and molecular and biochemical aspects of pathogenesis; the third, chapters on durable, adult plant and induced resistance, and biotic and abiotic influences on resistance, and the final section covers the effects of resistance on epidemics and of diversity of resistance on disease, gene management, decision support for breeding, disease assessment, and integrated crop protection. Each chapter is further sub-divided into themes, which are individually indexed to aid the reader looking for specific information on a topic, and each concludes with a substantial and up-to-date reference section. An additional feature of the book is a section providing a summary of relevant literature since 1980 on fungal disease resistance classified by host (temperate crops only) and pathogen. As the editors themselves recognize, this is probably only of limited interest to most readers now that on-line search facilities are so readily available. I found a number of factual errors in the areas with which I am most familiar and was surprised by the choice of references in some cases. Unlike many multi-author books, which are proceedings of conferences and do not necessarily aim to cover the whole subject area, this book was specially commissioned and gives the reader a good introduction across the whole field of fungal disease resistance in crop plants. As each author is an expert in the area they are writing about, there is a tendency in some chapters towards a personalized view of the subject. This brings a freshness to the chapters but, perhaps, not always a balanced viewpoint. English is not the first language of the editors or of the great majority of the authors, but the standard of English is high. It is a pity, however, that the editors did not consult a native English speaker for an accurate title for the book or for some of the section and chapter headings. Overall, I am sure that those with an interest in fungal resistance in crop plants, whether they be plant breeders, researchers or students, will welcome this book as an up-to-date source of information and will find much of value in it.