Ebook: Microbial Ecology of Leaves

The leaf surface or phyllosphere is a major habitat for microorganisms. Microbes on or within leaves play important roles in plant ecology, and these microbes can be manipulated to enhance plant growth or reduce plant disease. This book presents a number of critical reviews by internationally recognized experts on the microbial ecology of leaves. Topics include methods of assessment of microbial populations on leaf surfaces, leaves as reservoirs of ice nucleation phenomenon, and leaves as microbial habitats in both aquatic and terrestrial environments. The book will be of interest to students and scientists in numerous disciplines, including botany, aerobiology, meteorology, ecology, agriculture, and microbiology.

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The leaf surface or phyllosphere is a major habitat for microorganisms. Microbes on or within leaves play important roles in plant ecology, and these microbes can be manipulated to enhance plant growth or reduce plant disease. This book presents a number of critical reviews by internationally recognized experts on the microbial ecology of leaves. Topics include methods of assessment of microbial populations on leaf surfaces, leaves as reservoirs of ice nucleation phenomenon, and leaves as microbial habitats in both aquatic and terrestrial environments. The book will be of interest to students and scientists in numerous disciplines, including botany, aerobiology, meteorology, ecology, agriculture, and microbiology.
Content:
Front Matter....Pages i-xvii
Front Matter....Pages 1-1
The Phyllosphere as an Ecologically Neglected Milieu: A Plant Pathologist’s Point of View....Pages 3-18
Front Matter....Pages 19-19
The Leaf from the Inside and the Outside: A Microbe’s Perspective....Pages 21-42
Aerobiology: The Atmosphere as a Source and Sink for Microbes....Pages 43-59
Submerged Leaf Surfaces as a Microbial Habitat....Pages 60-86
Influence of Leaf Surface Features on Spore Deposition and the Epiphytic Growth of Phytopathogenic Fungi....Pages 87-110
Analysis of Spatial Patterns in the Phyllosphere....Pages 111-131
Front Matter....Pages 133-133
Methods for the Detection, Identification, and Enumeration of Microbes....Pages 135-157
The Yeast Community of Cacti....Pages 158-178
Fungal Endophytes of Tree Leaves....Pages 179-197
Fungal Endophytes of Grasses: Detrimental and Beneficial Associations....Pages 198-221
Crop Plants as a Source of Fungus Spores of Medical Importance....Pages 222-236
Association Between the Human Pathogen Sporothrix schenckii and Sphagnum Moss....Pages 237-249
Front Matter....Pages 251-251
Fungal Community Dynamics....Pages 253-270
Bacterial Community Dynamics....Pages 271-294
Determinants of Epiphytic Fitness in Bacteria....Pages 295-314
Evolutionary Perspective on the Ice Nucleation Gene-Encoded Membrane Protein....Pages 315-330
Endophytes as Antagonists of Plant Pests....Pages 331-357
Beyond Pest Deterrence—Alternative Strategies and Hidden Costs of Endophytic Mutualisms in Vascular Plants....Pages 358-375
Front Matter....Pages 377-377
Effects of Atmospheric Pollutants on Phyllosphere Microbial Communities....Pages 379-400
Genetically Engineered Endophytes as Biocontrol Agents: A Case Study from Industry....Pages 401-411
Front Matter....Pages 377-377
Interactions Among Fungicides, Pathogens, Yeasts, and Nutrients in the Phyllosphere....Pages 412-429
Biocontrol of Foliar Fungal Diseases with Compost Extracts....Pages 430-450
Manipulation of Microbial Communities in the Phyllosphere....Pages 451-463
Front Matter....Pages 465-465
Future Research Directions in Phyllosphere Ecology....Pages 467-479
Back Matter....Pages 481-501

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The leaf surface or phyllosphere is a major habitat for microorganisms. Microbes on or within leaves play important roles in plant ecology, and these microbes can be manipulated to enhance plant growth or reduce plant disease. This book presents a number of critical reviews by internationally recognized experts on the microbial ecology of leaves. Topics include methods of assessment of microbial populations on leaf surfaces, leaves as reservoirs of ice nucleation phenomenon, and leaves as microbial habitats in both aquatic and terrestrial environments. The book will be of interest to students and scientists in numerous disciplines, including botany, aerobiology, meteorology, ecology, agriculture, and microbiology.
Content:
Front Matter....Pages i-xvii
Front Matter....Pages 1-1
The Phyllosphere as an Ecologically Neglected Milieu: A Plant Pathologist’s Point of View....Pages 3-18
Front Matter....Pages 19-19
The Leaf from the Inside and the Outside: A Microbe’s Perspective....Pages 21-42
Aerobiology: The Atmosphere as a Source and Sink for Microbes....Pages 43-59
Submerged Leaf Surfaces as a Microbial Habitat....Pages 60-86
Influence of Leaf Surface Features on Spore Deposition and the Epiphytic Growth of Phytopathogenic Fungi....Pages 87-110
Analysis of Spatial Patterns in the Phyllosphere....Pages 111-131
Front Matter....Pages 133-133
Methods for the Detection, Identification, and Enumeration of Microbes....Pages 135-157
The Yeast Community of Cacti....Pages 158-178
Fungal Endophytes of Tree Leaves....Pages 179-197
Fungal Endophytes of Grasses: Detrimental and Beneficial Associations....Pages 198-221
Crop Plants as a Source of Fungus Spores of Medical Importance....Pages 222-236
Association Between the Human Pathogen Sporothrix schenckii and Sphagnum Moss....Pages 237-249
Front Matter....Pages 251-251
Fungal Community Dynamics....Pages 253-270
Bacterial Community Dynamics....Pages 271-294
Determinants of Epiphytic Fitness in Bacteria....Pages 295-314
Evolutionary Perspective on the Ice Nucleation Gene-Encoded Membrane Protein....Pages 315-330
Endophytes as Antagonists of Plant Pests....Pages 331-357
Beyond Pest Deterrence—Alternative Strategies and Hidden Costs of Endophytic Mutualisms in Vascular Plants....Pages 358-375
Front Matter....Pages 377-377
Effects of Atmospheric Pollutants on Phyllosphere Microbial Communities....Pages 379-400
Genetically Engineered Endophytes as Biocontrol Agents: A Case Study from Industry....Pages 401-411
Front Matter....Pages 377-377
Interactions Among Fungicides, Pathogens, Yeasts, and Nutrients in the Phyllosphere....Pages 412-429
Biocontrol of Foliar Fungal Diseases with Compost Extracts....Pages 430-450
Manipulation of Microbial Communities in the Phyllosphere....Pages 451-463
Front Matter....Pages 465-465
Future Research Directions in Phyllosphere Ecology....Pages 467-479
Back Matter....Pages 481-501
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