Plant Pathogens and Their Biocontrol Agents - Diagnostics and Characterization

Abstract

This is a compilation of training notes used in the ICAR sponsored winter school on 'Diagnostics and molecular characterization of pathogens of horticultural crops and their biocontrol organisms' organized at IISR, Calicut during 1-21 December 2006. This book is divided into five sections. The first section is a general one comprising of two chapters devoted to recent developments in Biotechnology and Bioinformatics in the perspective of a plant protection scientist. The next section comprises of chapters describing general methodologies and protocols useful for research on plant pathogens and biocontrol agents. Section III includes seven chapters pertaining to molecular characterization. Biological, biochemical and molecular approaches employed for characterization are discussed here. Various cutting edge techniques useful for detection and diagnostics are dealt with in Section IV. These include PCR based methods and applications based on serology, genomies and proteomics. There is an exclusive chapter on plant quarantine in this section. The last section is on biological control of plant diseases and insects.