Biological Control of Plant Diseases. S.B. Chincholkar and K.G. Mukerji (eds.). 2007. The Haworth Press, Inc., Binghamton, NY. 426 pp. plus index; 17 tables and 26 black-and-white photographs and illustrations; 6-inch × 8.35-inch format. ISBN-13:978-1-56022-327-6/ISBN-10:1-56022-327-8. $69.95 hardcover, $49.95 softcover. ISBN-13:978-1-56022-328-3/ISBN-10: 1-56022-328-6. Web: http://www.HaworthPress.com/store/product.asp?sku=5682

Biological Control of Plant Diseases is a well-timed publication. With the rising concerns about the extensive use of pesticides and their harmful effect on people and the environment, this book is a valuable resource for persons interested in natural alternatives to synthetic agrochemicals to control plant diseases. The book investigates and reviews the biological approaches for controlling plant pathogens using predators, antagonistic microbes, rhizosphere microflora, or genetic engineering. It covers the principles, concepts, mechanisms, and current practices of pathogen biocontrol. It contains 15 chapters and a preface that serves as an introduction, justification, and an overview of the book.

Each chapter contains an introduction, a body, a conclusion, and a bibliography of useful references. The chapters, however, lack abstracts. An abstract for each chapter would have been useful for readers, as it would give a quick overlook of the subject matter of the chapter. The chapters also contain appendices on pathogens, their host plants, and the biocontrol procedures used to control the pathogens.

The book as a whole is well illustrated. It contains photographs, charts, graphs, and tables to back up the foundations of the research. The content of the book is based on research and data, which make it a reliable source of information. The information of the book is useful for extension scientists, researchers, and academics in the fields of plant pathology, horticulture, microbiology, and related agricultural fields.

The strength of the book is that it covers multidisciplinary research on 29 different crops by institutions in 14 countries. This breadth gives the reader knowledge of a wide spectrum of pathogens affecting a wide range of crops in different soils and environments. The book is rich in information on natural control of plant pathogens and is recommended as a reference book. It is inexpensive. Its pricing, at about $70.00 for hardcover and about $50.00 for softcover, makes it affordable to professionals as well as to students.

Touria El-Jaoual, PhD Department of Plant, Soil, and Insect Sciences University of Massachusetts, Amherst