About Book

Plants are affected by fungi, bacteria, viruses and nematodes which cause a range of diseases in plants. Certain abiotic factors such as temperature, nutrition, moisture and toxicity also result in stunted growth, low productivity and death in crops. Demand for innovative methods of disease management is increasing due to increase in awareness for organic food, non-specificity of chemicals, environmental and health risks of the chemicals, along with the increasing fungicide resistance in pathogens. Management of plant diseases relies on a number of general strategies as fungicide spray, cultivating pathogen resistant varieties, adopting crop rotation and reduction of plant stress. The use of novel methods of plant disease management and control is expected to reduce the food safety and security concerns along with augmentation improvement in crop yields. This book discusses the modern approaches of using diseases control methods for crop production. It strives to provide a fair idea about this discipline and to help develop a better understanding of the latest advances within this field. It provides detail of abiotic stress, herbicide resistance, tolerance-induction techniques, nitrogen-fixation, climate change, seedling growth, modified crops, molecular identification, transgenics and mechanization. This book elucidates new techniques and their applications in a multidisciplinary approach. It presents researches and studies performed by experts across the globe. It is appropriate for students seeking detailed information in this area as well as for experts.

Preface............................................................................................................v

Chapter 1 Introductory Chapter: Transgenics—Crops Tailored for Novel Traits..............................................................................................................1

1. Introduction............................................................................................1

2. Developing transgenics: state-of-the-art strategies.........................4

3. Transgenics for agricultural traits......................................................6

4. Transgenics for medicinal traits.........................................................9

5. Conclusions..........................................................................................12

Acknowledgements.............................................................................13

Chapter 2 Introductory Chapter: Actual Issues (Moments) in Herbicide Resistance Weeds and Crops ................................................................19

Chapter 3 N-Fertilization Adjustment in Sugarcane Crop Cultivated in Intensive Mechanization.........................................................................26

Abstract.................................................................................................26

1. Introduction..........................................................................................26

2. Nitrogen fertilization: definition of the correct source, applied

time, application mode, and right dose.........................................28

3. Conclusion............................................................................................34

Chapter 4 Molecular Identification of Genetically Modified Crops for Biosafety and Legitimacy of Transgenes............................................38

Abstract.................................................................................................38

1. Introduction..........................................................................................39

2. Global scenario of GM crops............................................................40

3. GM crop’s development methodology...........................................42

4. Molecular test methods for the identification of GM crops......43

5. Certified/standard reference materials for GMO testing............51

6. Pros and cons of GM crops..............................................................52

7. National scenario of GM crops, biosafety, labeling and trade

aspects...................................................................................................53

8. Conclusion............................................................................................54

Chapter 5 Protein-Based Detection Methods for Genetically Modified

Crops............................................................................................................61

Abstract.................................................................................................61

1. Introduction..........................................................................................62

2. Immunoassays.....................................................................................65

3. Classification of immunoassays.......................................................66

4. Label-free immunoassays..................................................................67

5. Aptamers..............................................................................................78

Chapter 6 Diverse Promotive Action of Pyridinecarboxylic Acids on Flowering

in Ornamentals and Seedling Growth in Vegetable Crops...........84

Abstract.................................................................................................84

1. Introduction..........................................................................................84

2. 2,4-PDCA extends the display time of cut spray-type carnation

flowers by promoting flower opening as well as retarding

senescence.............................................................................................86

3. PDCA analogs extend the display time of carnation flowers...89

4. PDCA and PCA analogs stimulate root and shoot growth in

lettuce, carrot, and rice seedlings....................................................90

5. Search for a possible biochemical action mechanism of PDCA

and PCA analogs................................................................................94

6. Discussion.............................................................................................97

Acknowledgements.............................................................................98

Conflict of interest..............................................................................98

Chapter 7 Pepper Crop under Climate Change: Grafting as an Environmental

Friendly Strategy.....................................................................................102

Abstract .............................................................................................102

1. Introduction ......................................................................................102

2. Main environmental problems to cultivate pepper plants.......105

3. Main disorders related to abiotic stress in pepper plants ......111

4. Coping with abiotic constraints ...................................................114

Acknowledgements .........................................................................121

Chapter 8 Nitrogen-Fixation by Endophytic Bacteria in Agricultural Crops:

Recent Advances......................................................................................136

Abstract .............................................................................................136

1. Introduction ......................................................................................137

2. Biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) ...............................................137

3. Endophytic bacteria..........................................................................141

4. Recent studies highlighting the role of endophytic diazotrophic

bacteria in agricultural crops ........................................................144

5. Conclusions .......................................................................................149

Acknowledgements...........................................................................149

Chapter 9 Tolerance-Induction Techniques and Agronomical Practices to

Mitigate Stress in Extensive Crops and Vegetables.......................163

Abstract .............................................................................................163

1. Introduction ......................................................................................164

2. Responses to multiple stresses .....................................................165

3. High irradiance stress......................................................................168

4. High temperature stress .................................................................174

5. Low temperature stress ..................................................................178

6. Water stress .......................................................................................181

7. Salinity stress ....................................................................................186

8. Nutrient deficiency stress ..............................................................192

9. Conclusions .......................................................................................196

Chapter 10 Antioxidant Enzyme Activities and Abiotic Stress Tolerance

Relationship in Vegetable Crops........................................................208

Abstract...............................................................................................208

1. Introduction........................................................................................209

2. Salinity stress.....................................................................................211

3. Drought stress...................................................................................215

4. Chilling stress....................................................................................219

5. Nutrient deficiency and toxicity of heavy metal........................223

6. Conclusions........................................................................................228

Citation......................................................................................................241

Index...........................................................................................................243

About Author

Levitah J is serving as a Research Scientist at Technological Institute, Minas Gerais. She completed her Ph.D. in Plant Pathology from University of Science, Veracruz. She has written several articles and research papers on entomology, plant pathology, nematology, and weed science. Her keen research interest areas are pest risk analysis, plant disease control, and plant taxonomy. Her outstanding research has contributed to several innate approaches for plant pathology and fungicides. Levitah also works as a freelance writer and editor of agricultural journal, textbooks and references.