eChapters

Fungi have been known to cause plant diseases in crops and plants of economic importance to humans since time immemorial. Ancient agriculture witnessed these plants’ sufferings but thought it was due to the curse of God on humans. The curiosity to know the causes of these crops and plant suffering developed the science of plant pathology and enlightened our understanding of the causes of these diseases. Among different plant pathogens, fungi occupy the prime position to cause plant diseases.

For visualization and identification of fungal specimens into their genus and species, the staining of the fungal specimens and their microscopy are necessary. The simple binocular microscope can be used for microscopy of the fungal specimens.

2.1. Stains to be Used in Microscopy

1. Methylene blue stain

2. Lacto phenol cotton blue stain

3. Crystal violet stain

4. Safranin

3.1. Terminology Used in the Description of the Fungal Pathogen

3.1.1. The Mycelium

The hypha or mass of hyphae that make up the body of a fungus.

3.1.1.1. Coenocytic or aseptate mycelium

4.1. Damping Off

4.1.1. Pythium

Pythium has filamentous (thread-like), hyaline, and coenocytic (non-septate) mycelial growth. The asexual or vegetative stage of Pythium produces sporangia (that germinate directly to produce a hypha or indirectly to give rise to a vesicle outside the sporangium, within which zoospores are formed) and sometimes hyphal swellings (spherical sporangia-like structures that do not give rise to zoospores).

5.1. Gummosis

5.1.1. Phytophthora\

Phytophtora citrophthora, Phytophtora nicotianae, Phytophtora syringae are the phytophthora species associated with citrus gummosis; while Phytophtora pistaciae sp. nov. and Phytophtora melonis are the principal causes of pistachio gummosis.

6.1. Leaf Spot, Blight, and Blast

Leaf spots are irregular or round blemishes found on either side or both sides of the leaves. A typical spot is “zonal,” meaning it has a definite edge and a darker border. When lots of spots are present, they can grow together to cover the larger areas of the leaves. Different fungi are responsible for the leaf spots and sometimes a particular fungus causes a peculiar type of leaf spot and includes the fungi.

7.1. Die-Back

7.1.1. Colletotrichum

The pathogen forms a large number of acervuli on the infected parts. The conidiophores are slightly curved, short, and club-shaped. The conidia are hyaline and falcate, borne singly on the conidiophores. Numerous black colored and thick-walled setae are also produced in acervulus. In culture, most isolates produce cottony, fluffy, or suppressed colonies (Fig. 7.1).

8.1. Malformation

8.1.1. Fusarium

The classical example of Fusarium infection is Fusarium moniliforme which induces malformation in inflorescence, causing mango malformation disease.

The fungal mycelial morphology may vary significantly on different media, and the descriptions here are based upon growth on potato flakes agar (PFA) at 25° C with on and off fluorescent light cycles of approximately 12 h each. The mycelial colony has rapid growth.

9.1. Fruit Spot and Blisters

9.1.1. Colletotrichum

The pathogen forms papery or watery brownish areas at the site of infection, with a large number of acervuli on the infected parts. In the acervulus, the conidiophores are slightly curved, short, and club-shaped. The conidia are hyaline and falcate, borne singly on the conidiophores. Numerous black colored and thick-walled setae are also produced in the acervulus. In culture, most isolates produce cottony, fluffy, or suppressed colonies (Fig. 9.1).

10.1. Black Tip

The black tip of grain infection is mostly observed on the wheat grains.

The fungal pathogen involved in causing the black tip of grain includes the species of the fungal genus Alternaria and Helminthosporium.

10.1.1. Alternaria

The genus stands distinct from other genera by its transversely and longitudinally septate (muriform) conidia. The conidia are usually formed in chains. These are dark brown, typically obclavate with a distinct oval body and beak.

11.1. Fruit Rots

11.1.1. Alternaria

Please refer “Alternaria” section in Chapter 10.

11.1.2. Colletotrichum

Please refer “Colletotrichum” section in Chapter 9.

11.1.3. Fusarium

Please refer “Fusarium” section in Chapter 10.

12.1. Routine Media for Fungal Isolation

In recent years commercially available readymade culture media have been used in research laboratories for the isolation of fungal plant pathogens. These culture media are standardized and they are in different types. Some media are used for general purposes while some others are used for the isolation and growth of specific pathogens e.g.

The pioneering German microbiologist, Robert Koch, identified a set of four conditions that need to be satisfied to establish that a particular organism is the causative agent of a particular disease. These conditions, known as Koch’s postulates, are:

1. The suspected pathogen must be found associated with the disease in all the diseased plants examined.

2. The organism must be isolated from the diseased tissue and grown in pure culture on nutrient media, with its characteristics described (non obligate parasites) or in a susceptible host plant (obligate parasites), and its appearance and effects recorded

In recent years several plant pathological laboratories have been using molecular techniques for identification of the fungal plant pathogens isolated from the diseased plants. These are specifically used for the confirmation of the pathogen identified based on their cultural and microscopic characteristics. With the help of fungal genomic studies, not only the genus but also the species of the pathogen is identified based on the genomic sequences available with NCBI, and provide the accurate identification of the fungal isolate. This identification method involves the following steps:a

Chapter Overview

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Chapter Overview

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Chapter Overview

This chapter discusses the crucial concept of gender sensitization in the context of livestock production. Gender sensitization involves raising awareness about gender equality concerns, challenging stereotypes, and promoting equitable practices in the livestock sector. The chapter covers the stages of gender sensitization, offers guidelines for veterinarians and veterinary students, provides real-world examples, outlines a sensitization strategy, and underscores the pressing need for gender sensitization in livestock production.

Chapter Overview

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Chapter Overview

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Chapter Overview

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Introduction

A geographical information system (GIS) is a kind of database that has software tools for handling, analyzing, and presenting spatial data and descriptions of phenomena that have a location component. This system can also involve human users and support staff, procedures and workflows, a body of knowledge about relevant concepts and methods, and institutional organizations in a wider sense. GIS technology is a key part of spatial data infrastructure, which the White House describes as “the policies, technologies, standards, human resources, and related activities that are necessary to acquire, process, distribute, use, maintain, and preserve spatial data.”

Introduction

Global Positioning System (GPS) is a system of satellites and ground stations that provide location and time information for any place on earth, regardless of the weather. GPS is a type of GNSS, which stands for global navigation satellite systems. GPS has many applications in precision farming, such as farm planning, field mapping, soil sampling, tractor guidance, crop guidance, variable- rate applications (VRAs) and yield mapping. GPS helps farmers work in low- visibility conditions such as rain, dust, fog, and darkness. India has its own GPS system called IRNSS or NavIC, which uses about seven satellites. GPS is owned and operated by the U.S. government, specifically the U.S.

Introduction

We use our five senses to perceive the world around us. Some senses, like touch and taste, need contact with the objects. But we get most of our information about the environment through sight and hearing, which do not need close contact with the external objects. In scientific terms, we are doing remote- sensing all the time. Remote- sensing is the process of recording/observing/ perceiving (sensing) objects or events from a distance. Remote- sensing is a way of monitoring and detecting the features, usually physical, of a specific area by measuring its reflected and emitted radiation (usually from satellite or aircraft).

Introduction

Spectral signature: A spectral signature is the unique pattern of reflection and emission of a target at different wavelengths. This difference helps to classify remote sensing images based on the spectral signatures of different objects.

Electromagnetic (EM) spectrum: The EM spectrum is the range of all types of EM radiation. Some examples are visible light from a lamp, radio waves from a radio station, microwaves, infrared light, ultraviolet light, X-rays, and gamma rays.

Spectral response patterns: A spectral response pattern is the amount of energy that an object reflects or emits at different wavelengths. It shows how the object interacts with the EM radiation.

Introduction

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Introduction

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Introduction

Agriculture is a vital sector in the world economy, as it helps to reduce poverty and promote sustainable development, especially in developing countries. However, agriculture also faces challenges such as increasing productivity and reducing environmental impacts. Therefore, new technologies and methods are needed to improve agricultural practices. One of these methods is precision agriculture (PA), which is based on the principle of sustainable agriculture and healthy food production. PA is a science that uses high technology sensors and analysis tools to improve crop yields and support management decisions. PA is a new concept that aims to increase production, reduce labor time, and optimize the management of fertilizers and irrigation processes.

Introduction

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Introduction

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Introduction

In order to cater to the nutritional needs of a rapidly growing population, it is imperative to increase food grain production on the same land while maintaining the soil’s productive capacity. This necessitates comprehensive research to establish a scientific foundation for enhancing and sustaining food production and soil productivity with minimal environmental impact (Rathore et al., 2010). Balanced nutrition extends beyond the application of nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium in specific quantities through fertilizers. It entails ensuring that the soil contains the right proportions of available nutrients to meet the crop’s requirements for optimal yield (Rathore et al., 2010).

Introduction

Precision farming, also known as precision agriculture, prescription farming, and site-specific farming, is grounded on the principle of managing fields based on their heterogeneity (Nowak 2021). In the past, crop management decisions were made for the entire field, treating it as a homogenous unit, despite significant variations in soil characteristics, weed infestations, and plant growth within a field (Nowak 2021). Precision agriculture integrates modern technology with past experience to manage farming on a grid-by-grid basis (Nowak 2021).

Introduction

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Introduction

Nanofertilizers are products of nanotechnology that are created or modified from conventional fertilizers, bulk fertilizer materials, or plant extracts. They use different methods such as chemical, physical, mechanical, or biological processes to produce nanosized particles that can enhance soil fertility, crop productivity, and quality (KhetiGaadi 2022). Nanofertilizers have a size range of 0.1–100 nm, which is similar to the size of plant cell wall (20 nm), making them easier to be absorbed by plants (Tiwari 2022).

Introduction

Nanopesticides are pesticides that use nanomaterials or nanotechnology to improve their effectiveness and safety in agriculture. Nanomaterials are materials that have at least one dimension between 1 and 200 nm. Nanomaterials have different properties than their bulk counterparts, such as higher surface area, reactivity, and mobility. Nanopesticides can be formulated in various ways, such as nanosized active ingredients, molecular active ingredient nanocarrier complexes, or active ingredients encapsulated or coated by nanomaterials (Deka et al., 2021; Xu et al., 2022).

Introduction

Crop models can be broadly classified into two categories: dynamic or process-based crop simulation models (CSMs), and reduced form statistical models. Since simulation models are based on various plant-related processes, they develop or alter in tandem with plant growth (Chetty 2009); as a result, they are inherently nonlinear (Olmstead 2009). To run, calibrate, and validate, they require a significant amount of date input. However, statistical models are helpful in situations where there is a lack of data because they describe the relationships between a subset of variables while keeping the others constant. (Chetty 2009).

• General considerations

 • Collection of blood

 • Storage

 • Examination of blood

 • Coagulation time

 • Bleeding time

 • Determination of movement of parasites under wet film

• Total erythrocyte count

 • Total leucocyte count

 • Differential leucocyte count

 • Hemoglobin

 • Erythrocyte sedimentation rate

• Hematocrit value

 • Mean corpuscular volume

 • Mean corpuscular hemoglobin

 • Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration

 • Erythrocyte fragility test

• General considerations

 • Blood glucose

• Total serum protein

 • Serum albumin

 • Serum globulin

 • Serum gamma globulin

 • Serum calcium

 • Serum inorganic phosphorus

 • Serum magnesium

 • Serum cholesterol

 • Serum creatinine

 • Serum urea

 • Serum chloride

 • Serum sodium

 • Serum potassium

 • Serum Glutamic Oxaloacetic Transaminase

 • Serum Glutamic Pyruvic Transaminase

 • Serum alkaline phosphatase

• General considerations

 • Indications

 • Limitations

 • Techniques of bone marrow examination

 • Cell types

 • Cellular composition of bone marrow

 • Morphology of the cells

 • Interpretation of bone marrow examination

• General considerations

 • Collection

 • Preservation

 • Examination

 • Physical examination

 • Chemical examination

 • Microscopic examination

 • Organized sediment

 • Unorganized sediment

 • Cultural examination

• General considerations

 • Collection of feces

 • Storage

 • Examination of feces

 • Gross examination

 • Microscopic examination

 • Examination of feces for flukes

 • Examination of feces for blood

 • Culture of feces for nematode larvae

 • Sporulation of coccidia.

• General considerations

 • Collection of milk sample

 • Storage

 • Examination of milk

 • Physical examination

 • Chemical examination

 • Cytological examination

 • Bacteriological examination

• General considerations

 • Examination of skin scrapings for mange

 • Examination of skin scrapings for fungi

 • Cultural examination

General Considerations

The skin scrapings are examined for the diagnosis of skin diseases, including parasitic, fungal and bacterial infections and infestations.

 

• General considerations

 • Collection of synovial fluid

• Examination of synoival fluid

 • Physical examination

 • Chemical examination

 • Cytological examination

 • Microbiological examination

 • Examination for immune complexes

 • Miscellaneous examination

 • Inflammatory conditions of joints

 • Non-infectious arthritis

 • Infectious arthritis

 • Immune complex mediated arthritis

• General considerations

 • Indications

 • Collection of cerebrospinal fluid

 • Sub-occipital puncture

 • Lumbar puncture

 • Examination

 • Physical examination

 • Chemical examination

 • Cytological examination

 • Microbiological examination

• General considerations

 • Volume

 • Colour

 • Reaction

 • Concentration of spermatozoa

 • Motility

 • Live and dead count

 • Microbiological examination

• General considerations

 • Direct examination

 • Culture methods

 • Some important tests used in identification of bacteria

 • Characteristics of some organisms

 • Gram positive cocci

 • Gram positive rods

 • Gram negative rods

 • Mycobacteria

 • Leptospira/spirochete

 • Rickettsia

 • Chlamydia

 • Mycoplasma

 • Fungi

 • Virus

 • Antibacterial sensitivity testing

• General considerations

 • Scope

 • Exfoliative cytopathology

 • Interventional cytopathology (Biopsy)

 • FNAC

 • Imprint cytopathology

 • Crush smear cytopathology

• General Consideration

 • Post-mortem examination of large animals

 • Post-mortem examination of poultry

 • Steps in post-mortem examination

 • Writing of post-mortem report

 • Collection, preservation and dispatch of specimens for laboratory

diagnosis

• General considerations

 • Scope

 • Microscopic examination techniques

 • Smear

 • Vital staining

• Routine histopathological techniques of sectioning

 • Collection of tissues

 • Fixation

 • Washing

 • Dehydration

 • Clearing

 • Impregnation

 • Casting of blocks

 • Trimming

 • Section cutting

• General considerations

 • Agglutination

 • Slide agglutination test

 • Tube agglutination test

 • Capillary tube agglutination test

 • Plate agglutination test

 • Hemagglutination test

 • Hemagglutination-inhibition test

 • Coagglutination test