Rice seed health and quarantine; The rice plant and its environment; Equipment; Samples and sampling; dry seed inspection; Fungi; Bacteria; Nematodes; Viruses and mycoplasmalike organisms; Field inspection; Seed treatment; Weed seed; Insect pests; Fungal pathogens; Bacterial pathogens; Nematode pest; Organisms causing grain discoloration and damage.
This practical guide covers the commonly used detection methods for seed-transmitted viruses and viroids that affect both tropical and temperate crops. It contains 25 complete step-by-step procedures for biological, serological and molecular techniques to detect and identify such viruses. Combining helpful practical notes with more detailed explanations of the principles behind the techniques, the book describes the general characteristics of seed-transmitted viral diseases and discusses outlines for the organization and interpretation of seed health assays. The techniques reviewed are also applicable to non-seed-transmitted viral agents.
The global population is increasing rapidly, and feeding the ever-increasing population poses a serious challenge for agriculturalists around the world. Seed is a basic and critical input in agriculture to ensure global food security. Roughly 90 percent of the crops grown all over the world are propagated by seed. However, seed can also harbour and spread pathogens, e.g. fungi, bacteria, nematodes, viruses etc., which cause devastating diseases. Seed-borne pathogens represent a major threat to crop establishment and yield. Hence, timely detection and diagnosis is a prerequisite for their effective management. The book "Seed-Borne Diseases of Agricultural Crops: Detection, Diagnosis & Management" addresses key issues related to seed-borne/transmitted diseases in various agricultural crops. Divided into 30 chapters, it offers a comprehensive compilation of papers concerning: the history of seed pathology, importance of seed-borne diseases, seed-borne diseases and quarantine, seed health testing and certification, detection and diagnosis of seed-borne diseases and their phytopathogens, host-parasite interactions during development of seed-borne diseases, diversity of seed-borne pathogens, seed-borne diseases in major agricultural crops, non-parasitic seed disorders, mechanisms of seed transmission and seed infection, storage fungi and mycotoxins, impact of seed-borne diseases on human and animal health, and management options for seed-borne diseases. We wish to thank all of the eminent researchers who contributed valuable chapters to our book, which will be immensely useful for students, researchers, academics, and all those involved in various agro-industries.
Seed health testing assures the safe movement of seed of different crops, for research or trade. It is premised on the hypothesis that many harmful organisms are carried by and moved with the seed which have the potential to harm crops. This text provides details of rice seed-borne fungi.
V.1: Pathognes-diseases-hosts; Mechanisms of seed transmission; Principles of control; Seed health testing methods; Assessment of seed-borne inoculum. v. 2: Pathogens-diseases-hosts; Mechanisms of seed transmission; Principles of control; Seed health testing methods; Assessment of seed-borne inoculum.
An important reference for plant pathologists and seed testing labs, this volume covers the central biological, commercial and policy aspects of seed health testing. The first section examines significant seedborne diseases from various regions around the world. This is followed by papers discussing the many policy issues facing government and commercial testing organizations. The third section describes new technical developments in seed health testing, particularly molecular techniques for detecting seedborne fungi and viruses, and the fourth section evaluates new methods in comparative tests. The volume concludes with a look at quality assurance in seed health testing labs and in the production of high quality seeds. The book is based on selected papers from the second International Seed Testing Association symposium, held in August 1996.
