The book encompasses chapters on fungi from different substrates including fossilized leaves. In addition to non-living substrates, association of pathogenic fungi with important plants like Introduction, Fungal Plant Pathogens and Symptomology, Fungal Taxonomy and Plant Pathogens, Pythium Root Rot and Rhizoctonia Root Rot, Septoria Tritici Blotch (STB) of Wheat, Fungal Plant Pathogens and Symptomology, Diseases of Wheat, Biotrophic Plant Pathogens, Fungal and Fungal-like Diseases of Plants, Important Plant Pathogenic Organisms and Breeding for Disease Resistance: Fungi, Bacteria, Fastidious Vesicular Bacteria, Phytoplasmas, Spiroplasmas, Viruses, Viriods, Algae, Protozoa and Phanerogamic Parasites, Plant Pathogenic Fungi, Diseases of Vegetable caused by Soilborne Pathogens, Soil-borne Plant Pathogens, Plant Diagnosis: Question and Answers, Biodiversity of Plant Pathogenic Fungi, Fungal Diseases of Oilseeds and their Management, Biological Control of Plant Pathogens, Plant Pathogens - Detection and Diagnostics, Integrated Approaches for Detection of Plant Pathogenic Bacteria and Diagnosis of Bacterial Diseases, Integrated Pest Management and Crop Health, Eliminating Insect Damage and Abiotic Disorders of Plant Disease Problems: Identification and Management, Diagnosing Plant Diseases Caused by Fungi, Bacteria and Viruses: Identification and Management, Glossary. Thus, the book has attempted to present information for as many substrates as possible—living, senescing, and decomposing, with widely approached and updated information. However, these are not complete in a sense, as all information available cannot be put in one book. It is hoped, however, that teachers, researchers and students may find the book helpful.

Dr. Shahid Ahamad presently working as Deputy Director, Research in the Directorate of Research. He did M.Sc. in 1996 in Plant Pathology from CSAU, Kanpur and Ph.D. in Botany in 2003 from CSJMU, Kanpur, U.P. He started his career as a Research Associate from IARI, New Delhi in 1997. Joined as Jr. Scientist (Plant Pathology) in 2001 in Sher-E-Kashmir Univ. of Agril. Sciences & Technology of Jammu, J.&K. Selected as Sr. Scientist/ Programme Coordinator in 2008. He is also working as Nodal Officer, PME Cell. He is working as Reviewers/editorial members in different national and international journals. He conferred Fellow of Society of Plant Protection Sciences (2005) IARI, New Delhi & Fellow of Indian Phytopathological Society in 2015. He wins many awards viz. Young Achiever Awards -2011 for his outstanding contribution in the field of Plant Pathology by SADHNA, H.P.; Distinguished Service Awards (2012) by Bioved Research Society, Allahabad, U.P., Councilor (2012-15) of SPPS, Division of Nematology, I.A.R.I., New Delhi; Scientist of the Year Award (2013) by Society of Biological Sciences and Rural Development, Allahabad, U.P. Recently, he has been elected as President of Indian Phytopathological Society (NZ) for 2017. He has been published more than 250 publications in national and international reputed journals/magazines/newspapers including 10 books in different aspects of agriculture/ Plant Pathology. Dr. Nasim Ahmad joined ICAR-National Research Centre for Integrated Pest Management (NCIPM), New Delhi. He has been associated with the IPM teams working on various crops specially oilseeds and pulses. He did his Master’s Degree in Botany with specialization in Plant Pathology and Ph.D. in Botany with specialization in Mycology from DDU, Gorakhpur University, U.P. After his Master’s Degree he worked in Herbarium Cryptogamae Indiae Orientalis (HCIO) at Division of Plant Pathology, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi for five years on taxonomic studies on powdery mildews fungi. He has several new varieties and new species of powdery mildews and other fungi and a new genus of hyphomycetes fungi to his credit. Later, he along with the team members validated various IPM Technologies on mustard, groundnut, pigeon pea and chickpea crops. He has also been associated with microbial bio-control laboratory at ICAR-NCIPM and engaged in imparting training under the NCIPM training programmes on mass production of microbial bio-control agents. He has published several peered reviewed research papers in various national/international journals of repute.