Soilborne diseases have, until recently, received less attention than plant diseases affecting the shoot and foliage. However, this is not a reflection of their economic importance, but rather of the difficulties in investigating and detecting pathogens below soil level. Many soilborne diseases are stress related and it is in the tropics where crop growth is particularly limited by environmental stress, predisposing crops to infection by soilborne pathogens.
There is thus a great need for information on soilborne diseases of crops in the tropics. This book aims to fill this need by providing reviews of relevant research. It covers the major tropical crops and also includes general chapters on principles, ecology and control. Written by leading research workers from countries including the UK, USA, Australia and India, it will be indispensable for plant pathologists working in this area.