About Book

Plant pathology is defined as the study of the organisms and environmental conditions that cause disease in plants, the mechanisms by which this occurs, the interactions between these causal agents and the plant, and the methods of managing or controlling plant disease. Mycology is the branch of biology concerned with the study of fungi, including their genetic and biochemical properties, their taxonomy and their use to humans as a source for tinder, traditional medicine, food, and entheogens, as well as their dangers, such as toxicity or infection. From mycology arose the field of phytopathology, the study of plant disease, and the two disciplines remain closely related because the vast majority of "plant" pathogens are fungi. The science of plant pathology is closely allied with other sciences such as botany, mycology, microbiology, genetics, chemistry, horticulture, agronomy, and soil science. This book provides extensive details about the vast topics of mycology and plant pathology. It is a valuable compilation of various topics, ranging from the most basic to the most complex ones. It focuses on infection mechanisms, pathogenic fungi, pathogenicity factor and fungicides. It also deals with fungal diseases, postharvest fungi, biological control, management strategies and benefits of arbuscular mycorrhizal. The aim of this book is to provide this complex subject in an easy to understand and student friendly manner. It unfolds the innovative aspects of this area, which will be crucial for the holistic understanding of the subject matter. While understanding the long-term perspectives of the topics, the book makes an effort in highlighting their impact as a modern tool for the growth of the discipline. For those who have an interest in agricultural science, this book will prove to be a valuable source of knowledge.

Preface............................................................................................................v

Chapter 1 Benefits of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Application to Crop Production under Water Scarcity............................................................1

Abstract ..................................................................................................1

1. Introduction............................................................................................1

2. General features of AMF.....................................................................3

3. Variable crop responses to AMF........................................................5

4. Mechanisms of AMF mitigate drought stress in host plants .....6

5. Altered plant growth, yield, and quality.......................................16

6. Challenges of AMF application ......................................................18

7. Conclusion and future perspectives................................................19

Acknowledgements ...........................................................................20

Conflict of interest..............................................................................20

Chapter 2 Preharvest Management Strategies and Their Impact on Mycotoxigenic Fungi and Associated Mycotoxins............................37

Abstract.................................................................................................37

1. Introduction..........................................................................................38

2. Management of mycotoxigenic fungi and their mycotoxins.....39

3. Conclusion............................................................................................47

Acknowledgements ...........................................................................47

Conflict of interest..............................................................................47

Chapter 3 Biological Control of Mycotoxigenic Fungi and Their Toxins: An Update for the Pre-Harvest Approach.................................................59

Abstract ................................................................................................59

1. State of the art.....................................................................................60

2. Modes of action of BACs..................................................................63

3. Biocontrol and mycotoxins...............................................................71

4. From lab bench to field trials...........................................................76

5. Conclusions and future perspectives..............................................77

Acknowledgements ...........................................................................79

Conflict of interest..............................................................................79

Other declarations...............................................................................79

Chapter 4 Antifungal Activity of Chitosan against Postharvest Fungi of

Tropical and Subtropical Fruits............................................................97

Abstract.................................................................................................97

1. Introduction..........................................................................................98

2. Conclusions........................................................................................111

Acknowledgements...........................................................................112

Conflict of interest............................................................................112

Chapter 5 Biofilm Formation as a Pathogenicity Factor of Medically Important

Fungi..........................................................................................................117

Abstract...............................................................................................117

1. Introduction........................................................................................118

2. Candida spp. biofilms........................................................................118

3. Aspergillus fumigatus biofilms.........................................................121

4. Biofilms of other medically important fungi..............................123

5. Biofilm resistance behavior.............................................................124

6. Biofilm mechanisms of resistance..................................................125

7. Cell density........................................................................................125

8. Drug target alteration......................................................................126

9. Drug efflux pumps expression.......................................................126

10. Role of the extracellular matrix of the biofilm in resistance...127

11. Persister cells......................................................................................129

12. Biofilm and pathogenesis................................................................130

13. Final considerations..........................................................................132

Chapter 6 Stenocarpella maydis and Sporisorium reilianum: Two Pathogenic

Fungi of Maize........................................................................................144

Abstract...............................................................................................144

1. Introduction........................................................................................144

2. Overview of Sporisorium reilianum and Stenocarpella maydis....145

Chapter 7 Infection Mechanisms and Colonization Patterns of Fungi Associated with Soybean......................................................................162

Abstract...............................................................................................162

1. Introduction........................................................................................163

2. Biotrophic pathogens........................................................................163

3. Necrotrophs........................................................................................168

4. Hemibiotrophs...................................................................................171

5. Beneficial fungi..................................................................................172

6. Influences on infection and colonization.....................................176

7. Plant defense pathways...................................................................176

8. Summary.............................................................................................177

Acknowledgements...........................................................................178

Chapter 8 Natural Products from Plants and Fungi as Fungicides...............185

1. Introduction........................................................................................185

2. Methodology......................................................................................188

3. Antifungal activity against plant pathogens...............................189

4. Antifungal activity against animal and human pathogens......218

5. Susceptibility of fungal species to tested compounds...............222

6. A novel approach to solve the problem......................................224

7. Conclusion and future trends.........................................................225

Acknowledgement.............................................................................227

Chapter 9 Evaluation of the Cultivar Effect on Wine Grape Fungal Diseases with a Use of a Low-Input Fungicide Regimen in Southeastern Virginia, USA...........................................................................................244

Abstract...............................................................................................244

1. Introduction........................................................................................244

2. Materials and methods....................................................................248

3. Results.................................................................................................250

4. Summary and concluding remarks...............................................257

Acknowledgements...........................................................................259

Citation......................................................................................................263

Index...........................................................................................................265

About Author

Craig Washington is an Associate Professor at Open Research University, Adelaide. He earned his Ph.D. in Plant Pathology from Public University of Science, Hamilton. His research fields are in mycotoxicology and plant pathology. He has written dozens of articles and journals papers related to plant physiology, plant taxonomy and weed science. Washington has won over 10 awards and recognitions for his researches and services. He has also been an invited speaker at various international conferences across Europe, America and Asia.