Fungicide Resistance in Crop Protection: Risk and Management

Abstract

Fungicide Resistance in Crop Protection: Risk and Management . Thind, T. S. , ed. £85/US$160/€110. ISBN 978 1 84593 905 2 . Wallingford, UK : CABI , 2011 296 pp. (soft/hardback) . Fungicide resistance and its management is a long-standing and on-going problem. This has become increasingly important in the era of global food security, when some important fungicide groups have effectively failed, or provide diminished control of some key pathogens. New chemical groups of fungicides, such as SDHIs, are coming onto the market and will require effective management strategies to avoid potential resistance problems that have occurred in the past. The publication of this manuscript is therefore both welcome and timely. The multi-author book comprises several sections, covering History of Resistance Development; Status, Detection and Management of Resistance; Resistance Case Studies in Different Countries; Genetics and Multi-Drug Resistance and finally the Role of the Fungicide Resistance Action Committee (FRAC). The scene is set well by an introductory chapter on historical perspectives by Keith Brent, which reviews issues that have arisen, both with older and more recent groups of fungicides. Part II has eleven chapters that encompass a wide variety of crop–pathogen interactions. It provides a detailed and comprehensive coverage of resistance problems that have occurred, and management strategies that have been recommended. I found this section to be especially informative, with up-to-date coverage of some very interesting case histories. Part III, comprising six chapters covering resistance in different countries, was perhaps less instructive from a purely personal perspective, but I am sure some readers would find this information useful. Part IV, which deals with genetics and multi-drug resistance (MDR), could perhaps have been expanded, especially in the light of the emergence of MDR in some key pathogens, such as Mycosphaerella graminicola in wheat. The book concludes with a summary chapter on the organisation and role of FRAC. Overall, the individual chapters within the book have been well-written and have been edited in a conscientious manner. Apart from my minor, purely personal quibble about Part III, I would be happy to recommend the book to researchers and graduate students with an interest in fungicide resistance and its management.