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This book examines various mechanisms of biological activities of biotic and abiotic biocontrol agents, highlighting the similarities in their mechanisms and indicating the possibilities of selecting compatible ones.

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Biological management of diseases of crops is influenced by the nature of interactions between the pathogens and other organisms and the plants. Due to development of resistance in pathogens to fungicides and bactericides, determination of compatibility of biotic biocontrol agents with chemicals is essential for selecting strains of biocontrol agents (BCAs) showing resistance to chemicals to effectively restrict use of the chemicals. Microbial plant pathogens and the antagonists present in the soil and on the plant surfaces are influenced by various cultural practices. It is possible to reduce disease incidence and intensity by crop sanitation and using appropriate rotational crops. Application of physical techniques involving the use of heat, solarization and irradiation has potential to reduce the pathogen population or weaken the potential of pathogens present in the seed, planting materials and soil.

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Preface

Acknowledgement

1. Introduction
1.1 Concepts and aims of biological management of diseases of crops
1.2 Land marks in the development of biological disease management systems
1.3 Biological disease management strategies
1.4 Integration of biological disease management strategies

2. Cultural practices influencing biological management of crop diseases
2.1 Crop sanitation
2.2 Crop nutrition
2.3 Tillage
2.4 Soil flooding
2.5 Planting date and density
2.6 Irrigation practices
2.7 Effects of other crops
2.8 Effects of cultural practices on soil microbial communities

3. Physical techniques for biological crop disease management
3.1 Heat treatments
3.2 Solar energy treatments
3.3 Radiation treatments
3.4 Ozone treatment

4. Biological control of microbial plant pathogens in alternative sources of infection
4.1 Biological control of weeds
4.2 Biological control of insect vectors by microbial pathogens

5. Development of formulations and commercialization of biological products
5.1 Development of formulations
5.2 Delivery systems for formulated products
5.3 Registration and commercialization of biological control agents

6. Biological disease management systems for agricultural crops
6.1 Diseases of cereal crops
6.2 Diseases of cotton
6.3 Diseases of pulse crops
6.4 Diseases of oilseed crops
6.5 Postharvest diseases

7. Biological disease management systems for horticultural crops
7.1 Management of diseases of vegetables
7.2 Management of diseases of fruits
7.3 Management of diseases of plantation crops

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From the reviews:

"Narayanasamy provides a comprehensive discussion of the importance of biological management of plant pathogens in order to feed an ever-expanding population. ... Volume 2, Integration of Biological Control Strategies with Crop Disease Management Systems, contains seven chapters covering both cultural and physical methods related to biological management, developing and commercializing BCAs, and biological management in agriculture and horticulture. ... Summing Up: Highly recommended. Graduate students, researchers/faculty, and professionals/practitioners." (R. Frederiksen, Choice, Vol. 51 (7), March, 2014)

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