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Pesticide application methods
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Book reviews
Evaluation and Control of Crop Losses. At the end of each chapter there is a bibliography of references presented in the shortened form as before, but there is no author index in this volume. The theory of the genetics of plant-nematode interactions and its implications for the plant breeder are comprehensively reviewed (G.S. Sidhu and J.M. Webster) and one interaction, the gene-for-gene relationship, dealt with in detail (F.G.W. Jones, D.M. Parrott and J.N. Perry). The chapter on plant resistance to nematodes (J.A. Veech) makes it clear that we are some way from understanding the mechanisms of resistance and susceptibility even to the much-studied root-knot and cyst nematodes. However, the physical, cytoehemical and autoradiographie methods now available with the development of electron-microscope histochemistry (M.A. McClure) may lead to more rapid advances. Our knowledge of the modifications to plant cells caused by the feeding of endoparasitic (M.G.K. Jones) and ectoparasitic nematodes (U. Wyss) is brought up to date in two valuable and well-illustrated chapters. Nematode interactions with other diseasecausing agents is an area of much interest to crop protection specialists. N.T. Powell's chapter on this subject (Vol. II) has been expanded by A.F. Bird who provides a thorough account of the Anguina-Corynebacterium association and C.E. Taylor and D.J.F. Brown review the current information on nematode-virus interactions. It is unfortunate that a discussion of nematodefungal interactions is not included in this volume, particularly as much fascinating work has been done in the past decade. G.W. Bird discusses the main aims and concepts of integrated control procedures and rightly stresses that nematologists must consider factors outside their discipline when developing control strategies. However, I found this chapter unnecessarily cluttered with management jargon. Essential to any nematode-management programme is an evaluation of the likely crop damage and H. Ferris ably reviews the methods and key factors needed for such predictions. Chapters on Nematicides: Modes of Action and New Approaches to Control
(D.J. Wright) and the Microbial Control of Nematodes (R. Mankau) contain much new information of interest to the crop protection specialist. Of great value is a detailed chapter on Sampling Nematode Populations, by K.R. Barker and C.L. Campbell; this is an important subject rarely covered in nematological texts. N.A. Croll and M.V.K. Sukhdeo usefully bring together much information on the mechanisms of nematode behaviour and highlight how much the phytonematologist can learn from studies on free-living and animal-parasitic nematodes. However, they conclude that the wealth of laboratory information has no t yet improved our understanding of how nematodes behave in the soil. There have been significant advances in studies on anhydrobiotie nematodes (Y. Demeure and D.W. Freckman). Such survival has important consequences for population assessment and control procedures. More basic information on plant parasitic nematodes is provided in chapters on The Potential Use of Protein Patterns and D N A Nucleotide Sequences in Nematode Taxonomy (E.G. Platzer), Sex Determination in Nematodes (P. Goldstein), Sensory Structures (A. Coomans and A. De Grisse) and Scanning Electron Microscope Techniques and Applications for Use in Nematology (W.P. Wergin). This volume provides a useful compilation of current information in many imPortant areas of plant nematology and I am sure it will be as much read as its predecessors. BRIAN KERRY
Pesticide Application M e t h o d s by G.A. Matthews. ISBN 0-582-46351-3. (xii+336 pp; U K £7.95 paperback). New York and London: Longman. First published 1979 in hard covers; reprinted in paper covers 1982. Dr G.A. Matthews has clearly succeeded in producing a book which offers a comprehensive guide to the frequently neglected area of pesticide application. Since the first edition was published in 1979, PesticideApplication Methods has quickly become established and indeed accepted as a standard reference book for workers in all disciplines of crop protec-
Book reviews tion. The welcomed recent introduction of a paperback version has fortunately brought the book within the reach of students world wide. Many standard reference books dealing with chemical crop protection unfortunately dismiss application to a single all-embracing chapter with contentious arguments supported by now familiar artwork and illustrations. Dr Matthews has successfully addressed the complex area of pesticide application, but inevitably by attempting to cover every aspect, has failed to reach a sufficient depth for the dedicated application specialist. However, an exhaustive bibliography is provided for the reader wishing to progress further with a specific topic. It is a poor reflection on the limited dialogue between research workers and the equipment development engineers, when contributions from the machinery companies to the list of over 350 references are so insignificant. The development of application techniques and spray equipment is currently advancing rapidly, but unfortunately this development has failed to keep up with the sophistication of today's chemical treatments. The low dose rates of recently introduced pesticides, coupled with the commercial acceptance of reduced volume spraying, provide design engineers and innovators with an intriguing challenge. Pesticide Application Methods has an appreciable part to play, and recognizes the overall parameters ¢vhich contribute to successful crop protection. The introductory chapters dealing with targets, formulation design and droplet technology provide the reader with both a theoretical and practical understanding of the respective contributions. Today's technology is rapidly reshaping the compromise associated with pesticide application, into a more predictable science. Dr Matthews' book can justifiably claim to be increasing the awareness of the problems accompanying pesticide application, and proffering suggestions to overcome them. The book is packed with informative tables, clear line diagrams, and photographs supporting the text, but attention to layout detail occasionally leaves a little to be desired.
123
The ambitious subject matter has been well organized, but in common with other reference books, revision and up-dating will be necessary to prevent the work quickly becoming out-dated. Many readers will be disappointed with the recently introduced chapter covering current developments. The cursory look at a period which must rate as one of the most stimulating in application technology advancement hardly does credit to current progress, and leaves the reader anxious to continue investigations. This book is of undoubted value as a reference for workers involved with crop protection, but the casual reader also cannot fail to be impressed by the author's approach to such a wide subject. ALAN LAVERS Biology o f Conidial Fungi, Volumes 1 and 2, ed. by Garry T. Cole and Bryce Kendrick. ISBN 0-12-179501-2 and 0-12-179502-0. (Vol. 1:xviii+486 pp; U K £32.40; US $49.00. Vol. 2:xx+660 pp; U K £45.40; US $68.50). New York and London: Academic Press. 1981. These two volumes amalgamate diverse aspects of conidial fungi, covering topics such as history, systematics, ecology, ultrastructure, development, physiology and biochemistry, genetics and investigational techniques. Eight chapters are included in Volume 2 on various applied aspects. Contributions differ in format and size according to the author but are generally of high quality. Volume 1 contains some 14 chapters, eight falling into the section on systematics. The various authors emphasise the artificial nature of the groupings within the Fungi Imperfecti. For example, Kendrick, in reviewing hyphomycete systematics, points out that the various groups form a continuum rather than discrete taxonomic entities. Many dimorphic fungi are pathogens of man and animals and their ability to alternate between yeast and mycelial phases is the subject of a review by Cole and Nozawa. Pleomorphic fungi (such as rusts) are considered briefly by Carmichael whilst Miiller
Book reviews
Evaluation and Control of Crop Losses. At the end of each chapter there is a bibliography of references presented in the shortened form as before, but there is no author index in this volume. The theory of the genetics of plant-nematode interactions and its implications for the plant breeder are comprehensively reviewed (G.S. Sidhu and J.M. Webster) and one interaction, the gene-for-gene relationship, dealt with in detail (F.G.W. Jones, D.M. Parrott and J.N. Perry). The chapter on plant resistance to nematodes (J.A. Veech) makes it clear that we are some way from understanding the mechanisms of resistance and susceptibility even to the much-studied root-knot and cyst nematodes. However, the physical, cytoehemical and autoradiographie methods now available with the development of electron-microscope histochemistry (M.A. McClure) may lead to more rapid advances. Our knowledge of the modifications to plant cells caused by the feeding of endoparasitic (M.G.K. Jones) and ectoparasitic nematodes (U. Wyss) is brought up to date in two valuable and well-illustrated chapters. Nematode interactions with other diseasecausing agents is an area of much interest to crop protection specialists. N.T. Powell's chapter on this subject (Vol. II) has been expanded by A.F. Bird who provides a thorough account of the Anguina-Corynebacterium association and C.E. Taylor and D.J.F. Brown review the current information on nematode-virus interactions. It is unfortunate that a discussion of nematodefungal interactions is not included in this volume, particularly as much fascinating work has been done in the past decade. G.W. Bird discusses the main aims and concepts of integrated control procedures and rightly stresses that nematologists must consider factors outside their discipline when developing control strategies. However, I found this chapter unnecessarily cluttered with management jargon. Essential to any nematode-management programme is an evaluation of the likely crop damage and H. Ferris ably reviews the methods and key factors needed for such predictions. Chapters on Nematicides: Modes of Action and New Approaches to Control
(D.J. Wright) and the Microbial Control of Nematodes (R. Mankau) contain much new information of interest to the crop protection specialist. Of great value is a detailed chapter on Sampling Nematode Populations, by K.R. Barker and C.L. Campbell; this is an important subject rarely covered in nematological texts. N.A. Croll and M.V.K. Sukhdeo usefully bring together much information on the mechanisms of nematode behaviour and highlight how much the phytonematologist can learn from studies on free-living and animal-parasitic nematodes. However, they conclude that the wealth of laboratory information has no t yet improved our understanding of how nematodes behave in the soil. There have been significant advances in studies on anhydrobiotie nematodes (Y. Demeure and D.W. Freckman). Such survival has important consequences for population assessment and control procedures. More basic information on plant parasitic nematodes is provided in chapters on The Potential Use of Protein Patterns and D N A Nucleotide Sequences in Nematode Taxonomy (E.G. Platzer), Sex Determination in Nematodes (P. Goldstein), Sensory Structures (A. Coomans and A. De Grisse) and Scanning Electron Microscope Techniques and Applications for Use in Nematology (W.P. Wergin). This volume provides a useful compilation of current information in many imPortant areas of plant nematology and I am sure it will be as much read as its predecessors. BRIAN KERRY
Pesticide Application M e t h o d s by G.A. Matthews. ISBN 0-582-46351-3. (xii+336 pp; U K £7.95 paperback). New York and London: Longman. First published 1979 in hard covers; reprinted in paper covers 1982. Dr G.A. Matthews has clearly succeeded in producing a book which offers a comprehensive guide to the frequently neglected area of pesticide application. Since the first edition was published in 1979, PesticideApplication Methods has quickly become established and indeed accepted as a standard reference book for workers in all disciplines of crop protec-
Book reviews tion. The welcomed recent introduction of a paperback version has fortunately brought the book within the reach of students world wide. Many standard reference books dealing with chemical crop protection unfortunately dismiss application to a single all-embracing chapter with contentious arguments supported by now familiar artwork and illustrations. Dr Matthews has successfully addressed the complex area of pesticide application, but inevitably by attempting to cover every aspect, has failed to reach a sufficient depth for the dedicated application specialist. However, an exhaustive bibliography is provided for the reader wishing to progress further with a specific topic. It is a poor reflection on the limited dialogue between research workers and the equipment development engineers, when contributions from the machinery companies to the list of over 350 references are so insignificant. The development of application techniques and spray equipment is currently advancing rapidly, but unfortunately this development has failed to keep up with the sophistication of today's chemical treatments. The low dose rates of recently introduced pesticides, coupled with the commercial acceptance of reduced volume spraying, provide design engineers and innovators with an intriguing challenge. Pesticide Application Methods has an appreciable part to play, and recognizes the overall parameters ¢vhich contribute to successful crop protection. The introductory chapters dealing with targets, formulation design and droplet technology provide the reader with both a theoretical and practical understanding of the respective contributions. Today's technology is rapidly reshaping the compromise associated with pesticide application, into a more predictable science. Dr Matthews' book can justifiably claim to be increasing the awareness of the problems accompanying pesticide application, and proffering suggestions to overcome them. The book is packed with informative tables, clear line diagrams, and photographs supporting the text, but attention to layout detail occasionally leaves a little to be desired.
123
The ambitious subject matter has been well organized, but in common with other reference books, revision and up-dating will be necessary to prevent the work quickly becoming out-dated. Many readers will be disappointed with the recently introduced chapter covering current developments. The cursory look at a period which must rate as one of the most stimulating in application technology advancement hardly does credit to current progress, and leaves the reader anxious to continue investigations. This book is of undoubted value as a reference for workers involved with crop protection, but the casual reader also cannot fail to be impressed by the author's approach to such a wide subject. ALAN LAVERS Biology o f Conidial Fungi, Volumes 1 and 2, ed. by Garry T. Cole and Bryce Kendrick. ISBN 0-12-179501-2 and 0-12-179502-0. (Vol. 1:xviii+486 pp; U K £32.40; US $49.00. Vol. 2:xx+660 pp; U K £45.40; US $68.50). New York and London: Academic Press. 1981. These two volumes amalgamate diverse aspects of conidial fungi, covering topics such as history, systematics, ecology, ultrastructure, development, physiology and biochemistry, genetics and investigational techniques. Eight chapters are included in Volume 2 on various applied aspects. Contributions differ in format and size according to the author but are generally of high quality. Volume 1 contains some 14 chapters, eight falling into the section on systematics. The various authors emphasise the artificial nature of the groupings within the Fungi Imperfecti. For example, Kendrick, in reviewing hyphomycete systematics, points out that the various groups form a continuum rather than discrete taxonomic entities. Many dimorphic fungi are pathogens of man and animals and their ability to alternate between yeast and mycelial phases is the subject of a review by Cole and Nozawa. Pleomorphic fungi (such as rusts) are considered briefly by Carmichael whilst Miiller