This book is a response to the increasing interest in biological control of
plant diseases which is being shown by academic, commercial and
agricultural organizations, and individuals, all over the world. The
subject now receives more than a brief mention in most courses taught
on plant pathology and is clearly going to be more important in the
future. The excellent books by R. J. Cook and K. F. Baker will remain
the standard references and there are now many review articles on
various aspects in specialist journals. The present text attempts to
provide an account of biological control of plant diseases that will be
suitable for undergraduate students at college or university who will be
meeting the subject for the first time. It is hoped that teachers at other
levels will find it useful and that it will help research workers in many
fields to enter the literature on disease control through biological
means. The two introductory chapters attempt to set out general
principles of microbial, host and pathogen interactions, and the
historical and commercial background to biological control. The
glossary is not comprehensive, but is designed to help those with a
limited background in plant pathology and ecology