Biological Soil Crusts: An Organizing Principle in Drylands


Book Description

This volume summarizes our current understanding of biological soil crusts (biocrusts), which are omnipresent in dryland regions. Since they cover the soil surface, they influence, or even control, all surface exchange processes. Being one of the oldest terrestrial communities, biocrusts comprise a high diversity of cyanobacteria, algae, lichens and bryophytes together with uncounted bacteria, and fungi. The authors show that biocrusts are an integral part of dryland ecosystems, stabilizing soils, influencing plant germination and growth, and playing a key role in carbon, nitrogen and water cycling. Initial attempts have been made to use biocrusts as models in ecological theory. On the other hand, biocrusts are endangered by local disruptions and global change, highlighting the need for enhanced recovery methods. This book offers a comprehensive overview of the fascinating field of biocrust research, making it indispensable not only for scientists in this area, but also for land managers, policy makers, and anyone interested in the environment.




Encyclopedia of Mycology


Book Description

Encyclopedia of Mycology, Two Volume Set provides a broad and multidisciplinary overview of a subject whose importance in an ecosystem is becoming more and more universally accepted with its close links to botany, microbiology, biotechnology and medicine. While there are many subject-specific works available on the topics presented, from a multidisciplinary point-of-view it is difficult to find a reliable and updated source such as this one. This work is unique in that it is a one-stop-shop on every topic area of this exciting field. Offers students and researchers a one-stop shop with access to a wealth of information on multiple subject areas currently only available in scattered or non-technical sources Provides an authoritative resource authored by outstanding scientists in the field who cover a range of disciplines Written in a practical and unified language, can be used for teaching or serve as a resource for researchers and managers




The Fungal Kingdom


Book Description

Fungi research and knowledge grew rapidly following recent advances in genetics and genomics. This book synthesizes new knowledge with existing information to stimulate new scientific questions and propel fungal scientists on to the next stages of research. This book is a comprehensive guide on fungi, environmental sensing, genetics, genomics, interactions with microbes, plants, insects, and humans, technological applications, and natural product development.




Applied Plant Virology


Book Description

Applied Plant Virology: Advances, Detection, and Antiviral Strategies provides an overview on recent developments and applications in the field of plant virology. The book begins with an introduction to important advances in plant virology, but then covers topics including techniques for assay detection and the diagnosis of plant viruses, the purification, isolation and characterization of plant viruses, the architecture of plant viruses, the replication of plant viruses, the physiology of virus-infected hosts, vectors of plant viruses, and the nomenclature and classification of plants. The book also discusses defense strategies by utilizing antiviral agents and management strategies of virus and viroid diseases. With contributions from an international collection of experts, this book presents a practical resource for plant virologists, plant pathologists, horticulturalists, agronomists, biotechnologists, academics and researchers interested in up-to-date technologies and information that advance the field of plant virology. - Covers the detection, control and management of plant viruses - Discusses antiviral strategies, along with mechanisms of systemic induced resistance to enhance the defense of plants against viruses - Provides contributory chapters from expert plant virologists from different parts of the world




Fungi in Ecosystem Processes


Book Description

This new edition of Fungi in Ecosystem Processes continues the unique approach of examining the roles of fungi from the perspective of ecosystem functions. It explores how fungi have adapted to survive within particular constraints, how they help to maintain homeostasis in ecosystems, how they facilitate resistance to perturbations, and how they influence the communities of other organisms. Updated and revised, the second edition Expands the section on plant pathogens, invasive species, and insect–fungal interactions Provides more extensive coverage on insect–fungal interactions, including entomopathogens, the links between entomopathogens and endophytes, and symbiotic and mutualistic interactions Adds a new section on fungi in the built environment Presents new material on below-ground to above-ground interactions mediated through fungi, such as mycorrhizal signaling systems for herbivory defense The book also includes expanded coverage of the role of fungi in suppressive soils, aquatic and marine fungi, modern methods of following food chains in fungal–invertebrate trophic interactions, and the physiology of nutrient uptake by mycorrhizae. A necessary update and expansion to previous material, this book provides an essential reference on the current understanding of fungal roles in ecosystem processes. It also identifies directions for future study, including an emphasis on the need for further research on fungi in built environments.




Botrytis – the Fungus, the Pathogen and its Management in Agricultural Systems


Book Description

The fungal genus Botrytis is the focus of intensive scientific research worldwide. The complex interactions between this pathogen and the plants it infects and the economic importance of the diseases caused by Botrytis (principally grey mould) on more than 1400 species of cultivated plants pre- and post-harvest, render this pathogen of particular interest to farmers, advisers, students and researchers in many fields worldwide. This 20-chapter book is a comprehensive treatise covering the rapidly developing science of Botrytis and reflecting the major developments in studies of this fungus. It will serve as a source of general information for specialists in agriculture and horticulture, and also for students and scientists interested in the biology of this fascinating, multifaceted phytopathogenic fungal species.




Virus Assembly and Exit Pathways


Book Description

Advances in Virus Research, Volume 108, in this ongoing series, highlights new advances in the field, with this new volume presenting interesting chapters on topics including Virus infections of the developing brain, Geminivirus assembly, Flavivirus assembly, Cell-cell transmission, Archael virus assembly, Potyvirus assembly, Poxvirus assembly and exit, Mycovirus assembly, Reo/orbivirus assembly and exit, Giant virus assembly, Quasi-enveloped virus assembly/exit, and Betaherpesvirus assembly and exit. - Provides the authority and expertise of leading contributors from an international board of authors - Presents the latest release in the Advances in Virus Research series - Includes the latest information on virus assembly and exit pathways




Aquaculture Virology


Book Description

Aquaculture Virology, Second Edition covers all the known virus families, and specific diseases that affect each aquatic organism. Descriptions of each disease includes disease name, structure and composition of virus, classification and virus replication, epidemiology, pathology and immunity, diagnostic methods (gross pathology, histopathology, cell culture, PCR, sequencing, ELISA, etc.) and prevention and control. This is an excellent reference of updated foundational and practical knowledge from experts in both academia and research.Those interested in fish viral diseases will find the book an excellent source for high quality illustrations of viral structure, diagrams of pathogenesis of diseases, and many images of gross pathology and histopathology lesions, using the same format in all chapters to facilitate the reading and studying. This second edition of the book will cover all virus families and the specific diseases relevant to aquaculture with current information delivered in a systematic and succinct way to the researcher, teacher, student, diagnostic laboratory staff, clinical veterinarian, aquaculture disease practitioner, farmer, and all people that are interested in viruses in general. - Provides unique, comprehensive information on animal pathogens and viruses found in aquaculture and fisheries - Presents high-quality illustrations of viral structure, diagrams of viral disease processes, gross pathology, and histopathology lesions to aid in understanding - Incorporates all updated changes in taxonomy since the first edition - Includes a new chapter on the impact of climate change on the manifestations of different aquatic animal viral diseases - Describes aquatic viruses of the major aquatic animals, fish, crustaceans, and mollusks




Mycorrhiza Manual


Book Description

Mycorrhiza - symbiotic associations between plant roots and fungi - play a major role in many fundamental plant functions such as mineral nutrition or stress resistance. As the link between plants and the soil, mycorrhiza are now of great interest for developing new strategies in sustainable agriculture. Since they allow a decreased use of fertilizer and pesticides, negative impacts on the environment can be minimized. With contributions from renowned international scientists, this manual offers a great variety of practical protocols for analyzing mycorrhiza, including the latest molecular, biochemical, genetical, and physiological techniques.