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Host Plant Resistance to Pests
PESTICIDE
BIOCHEMISTRY
AND
PHYSIOLOGY
10,
230-231 (1979)
BOOK REVIEWS New and Updated Methods, Vol. X of Analytical Methods for Pesticides, Plant Growth Regulators, and Food Additives. Edited by G. Zweig and J. Sherma, Academic Press, New York, 1978. 593 pp., $45.00. This volume marks the fifteenth anniversary since the publication of Volume I in 1963. Detailed methods of analysis of 45 compounds are outlined. They include the updating of 2 insecticides (chlordane and heptachlor), 1 fungicide (benomyl), and 8 herbicides (dicamba, diquat, paraquat, ametryn, atrazine, prometryn, propazine, and simazine). The new compounds include 12 insecticides [bendiocarb, bioresmethrin, bromophos, bromophos-ethyl, chlormephos, isothioate, oxamyl, tetradifon, triazaphos, and Vendex (fenbutatin oxide)] as well as the chitin inhibitor diflubenzuron, and the insect growth regulator methoprene. The 7 fungicides are captafol, dithianon, hexachlorophene, hymexazol, isoprothiolane, pyrazophos, and triforine. The 19 herbicides include alachlor, chlomethoxynil, cyanazine, desmedipham, dichlobenzil, endothall, ethafluralin, ethofumesate, methazole, monomethyl arsenic and cacodylic acid, nitrofen, nortlurazon, perfluidone, profluralin, Prowl, terbacil, dipropetryn, prometon, and tertbutryn. Three plant growth regulators (chlorflurecol-methyl, fluoridamid, and gibberellins A4A, and 6-benzyladenine) and one nematicide-soil fumigant, methyl isothiocyanate, complete the list. The methods are outlined in great detail and often include detection limits and recoveries from a variety of crops. Although the majority of methods utilize gas chromatography for analyzing formulations and determining residues, some use high-performance liquid chromatography, calorimetry, and thin-layer densitometry. In the case of nonspecific detectors precise clean-up methods are reported. Although the format of reporting is not uniform for all the compounds reported it often includes a section on biological properties, toxicity, history, physical and chemical properties, as well as the source of the analytical standard. In one instance the standard was listed as available from an Australian address only which seemed rather restrictive since it is known to be produced also in Great Britain and the United States. Listing these sources is an asset but in these days of variable postal service, postal codes might have been included to assist in prompter service. Minor differences include failure to list molecular weight and listing molecular weight with varying significant figures. The bibliography varies from none in two cases (and no authors listed) to extensive ones. The text was pub-
lished in 1978 and there are a few 1977 references. However it must be kept in mind that either pertinent literature appeared just too late to be included or was arbitrarily omitted in the odd case. Unfortunately a 1977 paper on the determination of benomyl and its degradation product MBC just missed being included. Common names are used in all cases with a section for alternate names except for two compounds, Vendex, for which the common name fenbutatin oxide was not included, and the herbicide Prowl, for which no common name has been accepted at the time of writing. The s-triazine herbicides are conveniently dealt with together in one chapter. The editors point out that the concepts of sensitivity and limits of detection have been carefully defined and express the hope that residue chemists throughout the world will adopt these definitions for future use. With the reminder that methods can often be improved or entirely new ones developed, this volume gives an almost exhaustive detailed outline of methods that have been developed by specialists for the compounds already listed. Therefore with the precaution cited, this volume is a must in the series for analytical pesticide residue chemists. A convenient cumulative index for the ten volumes has been added.
230 0048-3575/79/020230-02$02.00/O Copyright All rights
@ 1979 by Academic F’ress, Inc. of reproduction in any form reserved.
E. Y.
SPENCER
Research University London,
Institute. Agriculture Canada Sub Post Office Ontario N6A SB7. Canada
Host Plant Resistance to Pests. Edited by Paul A. Hedin, ACS Symposium Series 62, American Chemical Society, Washington D.C., 1977. 286 pp., $23.00. “Host Plant Resistance to Pests” is the published account of a symposium sponsored by the Division of Pesticide Chemistry of the American Chemical Society, held in Chicago in the summer of 1977. This book contains 16 chapters, the first 7 of which examine plant disease resistance against microbial (mainly fungal) agents and the last 9 of which deal with resistance to insects. Generally the themes and ideas presented in the papers are derived from and draw their support from the research in which the authors were intimately involved. Only a few chapters examine the literature at length. As a result the controversial aspects of some of the topics discussed are often not apparent. The chapters dealing with phytopathological problems will be familiar to most plant pathologists as
BOOK
REVIEWS
many of the authors are pioneers in the area of their expertise. The first two chapters deal with the role of phytoalexins in disease resistance, the mechanism by which these compounds may be induced in the host plant, and the nature of the microbial derived elicitors which so effectively trigger the accumulation of these compounds. The third chapter presents a short and interesting overview of the biochemical aspects of plant disease resistance and susceptibility. The complexity of plant disease resistance is clearly illustrated by the chapter dealing with the resistance mechanisms of potato against the late blight fungus Phytopthora infestans. This is further enhanced by the paper of A. Stoessl. E. W. B. Ward, and J. B. Stothers, which describes the biosynthetic relationships of the sesquiterpenoidal stress compounds (many of which are phytoalexins) from the Solanaceae. In the next chapter J. Kuc and F. L. Caruso discuss the intriguing area of research pioneered by the senior author, plant immunization. Using procedures that are very similar to those used to immunize animals. it is possible to induce plant resistance against disease by inoculation with avirulent forms of pathogens. nonpathogens, etc. The final chapter in this section is a critical assessment of biochemical and ultrastructural investigations of the Southern corn leaf blight disease. The introductory chapter to host plant resistance to insects by A. C. Waiss, Jr., B. G. Chan, and C. A. Elliser is a short but well-presented discussion on the topic and provides, using selected examples, an insight into the problems that chemists encounter when working in this area. The chapters following deal in more detail with some of the aspects outlined in the introductory chapter. J. C. Reese provides some extremely interesting ideas and findings on the effects of plant biochemicals on insect growth and nutritional physiology. Several chapters then deal with the isolation from plants of compounds that show repellent, antifeedant, or toxic characteristics toward insects. Summaries of methods of isolation and characterization are provided for many of the compounds. The role of natural insecticides in plant insect interactions is well documented and clearly illustrated by a chapter detailing the resistance of cotton to several phytophagous insects. The final chapter is a thorough and comprehensive discussion with over 250 references cited on the behavioral and developmental factors in plants which affect resistance to insects. This book brings together valuable information concerning plant resistance to microbial and insect pathogens. a union long overdue. It is unfortunate however, that no provisions were made to include discussion sessions (which presumably occurred). Therefore, it is difficult to determine whether the scientists involved explored any problems, ideas, goals, or findings which they may have in common in their experiences in plant disease resistance. Compounds such as gossypol have been implicated in the resistance of cotton to both in-
231
sects and microbial pathogens. Are there resistance mechanisms in plants which may be involved in warding off both insect and microbial pathogens? The aim of this symposium was to better understand the natural resistance mechanisms of plants toward their parasites, with the final goal being to reduce our dependence on pesticides. The chapters in this book adhere to this objective, they offer hope that there may be avenues available to achieve this, and they are presented in a short, concise. and informative manner. This book, offering results of current developments. will be a useful source of ideas and techniques to both teachers and researchers in addition to being interesting reading material.
BIOCHEMISTRY
AND
PHYSIOLOGY
10,
230-231 (1979)
BOOK REVIEWS New and Updated Methods, Vol. X of Analytical Methods for Pesticides, Plant Growth Regulators, and Food Additives. Edited by G. Zweig and J. Sherma, Academic Press, New York, 1978. 593 pp., $45.00. This volume marks the fifteenth anniversary since the publication of Volume I in 1963. Detailed methods of analysis of 45 compounds are outlined. They include the updating of 2 insecticides (chlordane and heptachlor), 1 fungicide (benomyl), and 8 herbicides (dicamba, diquat, paraquat, ametryn, atrazine, prometryn, propazine, and simazine). The new compounds include 12 insecticides [bendiocarb, bioresmethrin, bromophos, bromophos-ethyl, chlormephos, isothioate, oxamyl, tetradifon, triazaphos, and Vendex (fenbutatin oxide)] as well as the chitin inhibitor diflubenzuron, and the insect growth regulator methoprene. The 7 fungicides are captafol, dithianon, hexachlorophene, hymexazol, isoprothiolane, pyrazophos, and triforine. The 19 herbicides include alachlor, chlomethoxynil, cyanazine, desmedipham, dichlobenzil, endothall, ethafluralin, ethofumesate, methazole, monomethyl arsenic and cacodylic acid, nitrofen, nortlurazon, perfluidone, profluralin, Prowl, terbacil, dipropetryn, prometon, and tertbutryn. Three plant growth regulators (chlorflurecol-methyl, fluoridamid, and gibberellins A4A, and 6-benzyladenine) and one nematicide-soil fumigant, methyl isothiocyanate, complete the list. The methods are outlined in great detail and often include detection limits and recoveries from a variety of crops. Although the majority of methods utilize gas chromatography for analyzing formulations and determining residues, some use high-performance liquid chromatography, calorimetry, and thin-layer densitometry. In the case of nonspecific detectors precise clean-up methods are reported. Although the format of reporting is not uniform for all the compounds reported it often includes a section on biological properties, toxicity, history, physical and chemical properties, as well as the source of the analytical standard. In one instance the standard was listed as available from an Australian address only which seemed rather restrictive since it is known to be produced also in Great Britain and the United States. Listing these sources is an asset but in these days of variable postal service, postal codes might have been included to assist in prompter service. Minor differences include failure to list molecular weight and listing molecular weight with varying significant figures. The bibliography varies from none in two cases (and no authors listed) to extensive ones. The text was pub-
lished in 1978 and there are a few 1977 references. However it must be kept in mind that either pertinent literature appeared just too late to be included or was arbitrarily omitted in the odd case. Unfortunately a 1977 paper on the determination of benomyl and its degradation product MBC just missed being included. Common names are used in all cases with a section for alternate names except for two compounds, Vendex, for which the common name fenbutatin oxide was not included, and the herbicide Prowl, for which no common name has been accepted at the time of writing. The s-triazine herbicides are conveniently dealt with together in one chapter. The editors point out that the concepts of sensitivity and limits of detection have been carefully defined and express the hope that residue chemists throughout the world will adopt these definitions for future use. With the reminder that methods can often be improved or entirely new ones developed, this volume gives an almost exhaustive detailed outline of methods that have been developed by specialists for the compounds already listed. Therefore with the precaution cited, this volume is a must in the series for analytical pesticide residue chemists. A convenient cumulative index for the ten volumes has been added.
230 0048-3575/79/020230-02$02.00/O Copyright All rights
@ 1979 by Academic F’ress, Inc. of reproduction in any form reserved.
E. Y.
SPENCER
Research University London,
Institute. Agriculture Canada Sub Post Office Ontario N6A SB7. Canada
Host Plant Resistance to Pests. Edited by Paul A. Hedin, ACS Symposium Series 62, American Chemical Society, Washington D.C., 1977. 286 pp., $23.00. “Host Plant Resistance to Pests” is the published account of a symposium sponsored by the Division of Pesticide Chemistry of the American Chemical Society, held in Chicago in the summer of 1977. This book contains 16 chapters, the first 7 of which examine plant disease resistance against microbial (mainly fungal) agents and the last 9 of which deal with resistance to insects. Generally the themes and ideas presented in the papers are derived from and draw their support from the research in which the authors were intimately involved. Only a few chapters examine the literature at length. As a result the controversial aspects of some of the topics discussed are often not apparent. The chapters dealing with phytopathological problems will be familiar to most plant pathologists as
BOOK
REVIEWS
many of the authors are pioneers in the area of their expertise. The first two chapters deal with the role of phytoalexins in disease resistance, the mechanism by which these compounds may be induced in the host plant, and the nature of the microbial derived elicitors which so effectively trigger the accumulation of these compounds. The third chapter presents a short and interesting overview of the biochemical aspects of plant disease resistance and susceptibility. The complexity of plant disease resistance is clearly illustrated by the chapter dealing with the resistance mechanisms of potato against the late blight fungus Phytopthora infestans. This is further enhanced by the paper of A. Stoessl. E. W. B. Ward, and J. B. Stothers, which describes the biosynthetic relationships of the sesquiterpenoidal stress compounds (many of which are phytoalexins) from the Solanaceae. In the next chapter J. Kuc and F. L. Caruso discuss the intriguing area of research pioneered by the senior author, plant immunization. Using procedures that are very similar to those used to immunize animals. it is possible to induce plant resistance against disease by inoculation with avirulent forms of pathogens. nonpathogens, etc. The final chapter in this section is a critical assessment of biochemical and ultrastructural investigations of the Southern corn leaf blight disease. The introductory chapter to host plant resistance to insects by A. C. Waiss, Jr., B. G. Chan, and C. A. Elliser is a short but well-presented discussion on the topic and provides, using selected examples, an insight into the problems that chemists encounter when working in this area. The chapters following deal in more detail with some of the aspects outlined in the introductory chapter. J. C. Reese provides some extremely interesting ideas and findings on the effects of plant biochemicals on insect growth and nutritional physiology. Several chapters then deal with the isolation from plants of compounds that show repellent, antifeedant, or toxic characteristics toward insects. Summaries of methods of isolation and characterization are provided for many of the compounds. The role of natural insecticides in plant insect interactions is well documented and clearly illustrated by a chapter detailing the resistance of cotton to several phytophagous insects. The final chapter is a thorough and comprehensive discussion with over 250 references cited on the behavioral and developmental factors in plants which affect resistance to insects. This book brings together valuable information concerning plant resistance to microbial and insect pathogens. a union long overdue. It is unfortunate however, that no provisions were made to include discussion sessions (which presumably occurred). Therefore, it is difficult to determine whether the scientists involved explored any problems, ideas, goals, or findings which they may have in common in their experiences in plant disease resistance. Compounds such as gossypol have been implicated in the resistance of cotton to both in-
231
sects and microbial pathogens. Are there resistance mechanisms in plants which may be involved in warding off both insect and microbial pathogens? The aim of this symposium was to better understand the natural resistance mechanisms of plants toward their parasites, with the final goal being to reduce our dependence on pesticides. The chapters in this book adhere to this objective, they offer hope that there may be avenues available to achieve this, and they are presented in a short, concise. and informative manner. This book, offering results of current developments. will be a useful source of ideas and techniques to both teachers and researchers in addition to being interesting reading material.