Encyclopaedia of Fungal Diseases

Fungi are parasitic on almost all groups of eukaryotic organisms, ranging from cellular amoebae, protozoa, and algae to larger plant groups such as liverworts, mosses, ferns, and seed plants and animal groups from the smallest inconspicuous ones to the larger animals. The man, most intelligent animals, has his/her share of fungal parasites. Parasitic fungi are best known through their extensive damage to plants, especially cultivated plants. While plant diseases may be caused by environmental factors, viruses, mycoplasma, bacteria nematodes, a few protozoa, and parasitic higher plants, by far the majority (more than ¾) of plant diseases are caused by fungi. All of the major groups of fungi, we studied in the initial sessions of this course have species that are plant parasitic. This book is a practical guide to practicing farmers, useful reference to policy makers, research and extension workers and teachers for teaching students.