Blast Disease of Cereal Crops: Evolution and Adaptation in Context of Climate Change

Blast is a significant foliar disease that affects cereal crops, causing epidemics and economic impact. Magnaporthe spp. is the most prominent cause, with 137 members described in Fungal Databases. This book covers historical perspectives, pathogen evolution, host range shift, cross-infectivity, pathogen isolation, fungicides, genetics, genomics, and management of blast disease in different cereal crops. Advances in genomics and proteomics approaches have led to the cloning and mapping of R genes for blast resistance, and comparative genomics analysis has helped to resolve delineation of Magnaporthe species. Identification of new Avr genes and effector molecules from Magnaporthe spp. can help understand the molecular mechanisms involved in the fast evolution of different strains.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 219 pages
Publication date: 23 April 2022
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

Blast is a significant foliar disease that affects a wide range of cereal crops, including rice, finger millet, pearl millet, foxtail millet, and wheat. This disease has a substantial economic impact, causing epidemics in numerous crops and frequently shifting to new hosts. The pathogen responsible for blast disease is Magnaporthe spp., which is the most prominent cause of blast disease on a broad host range of grasses, including rice and other species in the Poaceae family. To date, 137 members of Poaceae hosting this fungus have been described in Fungal Databases.

This book offers comprehensive information on all blast diseases affecting different cereal crops. The pathogen's rapid evolution due to its high variability allows it to quickly adapt to new cultivars and cause epidemics in specific crops. Some of the topics covered in this book include historical perspectives, pathogen evolution, host range shift, cross-infectivity, pathogen isolation, the use of chemicals such as fungicides, genetics and genomics, and management strategies for blast disease in various cereal crops.

In the past two decades, significant advancements have been made in genomics and proteomics approaches, leading to substantial progress in cloning and mapping R genes for blast resistance. Additionally, comparative genomics analysis has been employed to better understand the delineation of Magnaporthe species that infect both cereals and grass species. Blast disease resistance follows a typical gene-for-gene hypothesis, and the identification of new Avr genes and effector molecules from Magnaporthe spp. can provide valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms involved in the fast evolution of different strains of this fungal genus.

Advances in these areas may help reduce the occurrence of blast disease by identifying potential R genes for effective resistance. Overall, this book provides valuable insights into the biology, genetics, and management of blast disease in cereal crops, with the potential to contribute to the development of sustainable and effective disease control strategies.

Weight: 373g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030605872
Edition number: 1st ed. 2021