This Handbook supersedes Department bulletin 1366, "A check list of diseases of economic plants in the United States," issued in 1926. It replaces the processed report, "Index of Plant Diseases in the United States," issued in six parts, from 1950 to 1953. The Handbook does not constitute a revision of the "Index," issued from 1950 to 1953. There are no real changes in content. Condensation of the introductory explanation, and some minor changes, mainly in the host descriptions, to permit better arrangement of the printed page, are the most conspicuous differences from the original "Index."
Diseases of Trees and Shrubs is a comprehensive pictorial survey of the diseases of, as well as the environmental damage to, forest and shade trees and woody ornamental plants in the United States and Canada. An authoritative reference, it is also a reliable and handy diagnostic tool that will simplify the identification of specific plant diseases by focusing on signs and symptoms that can be seen with the unaided eye or with a hand lens. This long-needed book gives readers complete, up-to-date information in an easily understood and convenient way. Each of the 247 color plates faces a page of explanatory text covering the biology and ecology (including host and geographic ranges) of the disease-causing agents (pathogens), a list of key references (there are more than 2,250), and, in some cases, black-and-white illustrations of pathogens. Selected information about biological and cultural control is provided. Scientific terms other than Latin names of pathogens are used only when necessary, and a glossary of terms and a comprehensive index are included. The color plates contain more than 1,700 illustrations of the diseases and injuries that some 350 biological agents and environmental factors cause to more than 250 species of plants. The book also serves as a guide to hundreds of other diseases related to those shown. The authors have used three levels of organization for this book. At the first level, diseases caused by biological agents are separated from those caused by environmental stimuli. At the second level, most diseases are grouped according to the plant part affected: leaves, twigs, limbs, roots, trunks, or the entire plant. At the third level, diseases are presented according to the taxonomic relationships among the pathogens. For this major project, the authors examined and photographed diseases and environmental damage in the field, visiting more than 50 states and Canadian provinces. Their book reflects the most important developments in fungal biology and taxonomy, plant bacteriology, virology, and environmentally induced stress in plants. It summarizes information about newly discovered diseases and provides up-to-date accounts of olds ones. Diseases of Trees and Shrubs can be profitable reading for anyone whose technical training does not extend beyond general biology, yet will also be informative to advanced students and plant pathologists. It will be welcomed by agricultural and horticultural advisers, plant inspectors, arborists, nursery professionals, landscapers, foresters, and urban planners. Wayne A. Sinclair is a Professor of Plant Pathology, Howard H. Lyon is Biological Photographer (retired), Department of Plant Pathology, and Warren T. Johnson is Professor of Entomology, all at Cornell University.
Every year we see a remarkable increase in scientific knowledge. We are learning more each day about the world around us, about the numerous biological organisms of the biosphere, about the physical and chemical processes that shaped and continue to change our planet. The cataloging, retrieval, dissemination, and use of this new information along with the continued development of new computer technology provide some of the most challenging problems in science as we enter the Information Age. With the explosion of knowledge in science, it is especially important that students in introductory courses learn not only the basic material of a subject, but also about the newest developments in that subject. With this goal in mind, we have prepared a second edition of Introduction to Plant Diseases: Identification and Management. We prepared this edition with the same general purpose that we had for the first edition - to provide practical, up-to-date information that helps in the successful management of diseases on food, fiber, and landscape plants for students who do not have a strong background in the biological sciences. We included new information on (1) the precise identification of diseases and the pathogens that cause them, (2) the development of epidemics of plant diseases, (3) the application of biotechnology in plant pathology, (4) the use of alternative methods of crop production and disease management that help protect the environment, and (5) diseases that have become more important since the first edition was published.
