Springer Multigenic and Induced Systemic Resistance in Plants

Plants have developed very sophisticated mechanisms to combat pathogens and pestsusingtheleastamountofreservedorgeneratedenergypossible. Theydothis by activating major defense mechanisms after recognition of the organisms that are considered to be detrimental to their survival; therefore they have been able to exist on Earth longer than any other higher organisms. It has been known for the past century that plants carry genetic information for inherited resistance against many pathogenic organisms including fungi, bacteria, and viruses, and that the relationship between pathogenic organisms and hosts plants are rather complex and in some cases time dependent. This genetic information has been the basis for breeding for resistance that has been employed by plant breeders to develop better-yielding disease resistant varieties, some of which are still being cultivated. Single gene resistance is one type of resistance which has been extensively studied by many research groups all around the world using biotechnological methodologies that have been the subject of many books and journal articles; therefore, it is beyond the scope of this book. This type of resistance is very effective, although it can be overcome by the pressure of pathogenic organisms since it depends on interaction of a single elicitor molecule from the pathogen with a single receptor site in the host. Review From the reviews: "The fascinating phenomenon that susceptible plants can become resistant to pathogenic organisms by means of complex induced mechanisms has attracted numerous scientists worldwide. It is therefore appreciated that the state of knowledge of this important subject is summarized and discussed in this book … . All chapters are supplemented with extended, mostly up-to-date references … . A detailed subject index is added. … the book can be highly recommended to every plant pathologist active in research on host-parasite interactions." (R. Heitefuss, Journal of Phytopathology, Vol. 154 (11-12), 2006) From the Back Cover This comprehensive volume consists of a series of up-to-date reviews, each incorporating current models and knowledge related to mechanisms of resistance either expressed constitutively or induced systemically in plants. Each chapter covers a topic related to the phenomenon of plant resistance to fungal and bacterial pathogens, insects, nematodes, viruses or abiotic stress in plants, as well as the application of this knowledge to protect crops now and in the future. Researchers, upper-level undergraduate and graduate students, and those teaching courses in plant physiology, entomology and plant pathology will find this volume a much needed asset. Featured Topics include: QTL analysis of multigenic disease resistance in plant breeding Ultrastructural studies in plant disease resistance Chemical signals in plant resistance: salicylic acid Signaling in plant resistance responses: divergence and cross-talk of defense pathways Tree defenses against insects Chemical signals in plants: jasmonates and the role of insect-derived elicitors in responses to herbivores Engineering plants for durable disease resistance Commercialization of plant systemic defense activation: theory, problems and successes About the Author Dr. Tuzun, currently a full professor at Auburn University, is a molecular plant pathologist and pioneer in the field of induced systemic resistance. Dr. Bent, currently a postdoctoral researcher in the laboratory of Dr. James Borneman at the Unviersity of California – Riverside, is investigating the microbial basis of disease suppression in soil. She has degrees in microbiology and soil science, and has investigated a variety of interactions between plants and microorganisms or microfauna in the rhizosphere.