Contents

### **Preface XI**

**Section 1 Advances in Fungal Plant Pathology 1** Chapter 1 **Modeling the Main Fungal Diseases of Winter Wheat: Constraints and Possible Solutions 3** Moussa El Jarroudi, Louis Kouadio, Bernard Tychon, Mustapha El Jarroudi, Jürgen Junk, Clive Bock and Philippe Delfosse Chapter 2 **The Biology of Thecaphora frezii Smut and Its Effects on Argentine Peanut Production 31**

Luis Ignacio Cazón, Juan Andrés Paredes and Alejandro Mario Rago


Preface

Plant pathology is the study of microorganisms that interfere with the normal metabolism of plants. It includes etiology, pathogenesis, epidemiology, and integrated pest management. Research in plant pathology has advanced from morphological and physiological analysis to

A plant is described as diseased when there are calculable deviations in physiology, structure, functions, and a deviation of its perceived economic value. Pathogens interfere with plants in many ways including obtaining nutrients, interfering with metabolic pathways, and through the production of metabolites, toxins, enzymes, etc. The diseased plant might slow down its water uptake, food translocation, mineral absorption, flowering, photosynthesis, fruiting,

This book combines the old approaches of plant-pathogen interactions with studies in mo‐ lecular and physiological changes in plants, which have been triggered by climate change, increase in pesticide resistance, pathogen mutations, invasive species, plant biotic and abio‐ tic adaptations, and plant breeding strategies. Recent advances in molecular biology and bi‐ oinformatics are enabling plant pathology to be studied using new technologies, such as RNAi, epigenetics, and nanotechnology. This book highlights modeling of plant diseases, quorum sensing, newly identified plant pathogens, counter defenses of plant viral patho‐

Scientists have recently discovered interesting plant interactions between plants and micro‐ organisms in symbiotic relationships. These relationships involving endophytes and exo‐

**Dr Josphert Ngui Kimatu, BSc., Mphil, PDGE, PhD**

South Eastern Kenya University

Kitui County, Kenya

gaseous exchange, seed setting, food storage, respiration, and even its defense system.

more molecular studies involving interactions of gene products.

gens, pesticide resistance and diagnostic approaches of plant diseases.

phytes have enabled plants to survive and adapt in diverse environments.
