Epidemiology and Management of Root Diseases

Root disease epidemics pose special challenges to crop growers as most of their activity takes place in the soil. This study examines the problem and describes a variety of ways to manage root disease, by way of chemical and biological methods and host resistance.

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Root disease epidemics, because much of the activity takes place in soil and out of sight, pose special challenges to growers who seek to manage them and to scientists who study them. All relevant topics of root disease epidemics and their management are presented in this text. The critical aspects of specific disease components, including inoculum, host roots, mycorrhiza and the soil environment, are explored. Challenges of disease assessment and the temporal and spatial aspects of epidemic development are considered, and approaches to root disease management including host resistance, chemical, biological and cultural management are discussed in detail.