Biochemical studies on plant virus RNA replication have advanced considerably since 2000, primarily because of new genetic, molecular, biochemical, and enzymatic studies. This book generates understanding of multiplication of plus-sense RNA plant viruses, especially at molecular level. Certain virus-encoded essential proteins, nucleotide sequence motifs, and RNA secondary structures are central to virus RNA replication, which has a number of stages. Each is a complex phenomenon requiring specific factors and conditions.

Concern about the environmental consequences of the widespread use of pesticides has increased, and evidence of pesticide-resistant virus vectors have continued to emerge. This volume presents a timely survey of the mechanisms of plant resistance and examines current developments in breeding for resistance, with particular emphasis on advances in genetic engineering which allow for the incorporation of viral genetic material into plants. Discusses the mechanisms of innate resistance in strains of tobacco, tomato, and cowpea; various aspects of induced resistance, including the characterization and roles of the pathogenesis-related proteins; antiviral substances and their comparison with interferon; and cross-protection between plant virus strains. Also presents several papers which evaluate the status of genetic engineering as it relates to breeding resistant plants. Among these are discussions of the potential use of plant viruses as gene vectors, gene coding for viral coat protein, satellite RNA, and antisense RNA, and practical issues such as the durability of resistant crop plants in the field.

Plant viruses cause many of the most important diseases threatening crops worldwide. Over the last quarter of a century, an increasing number of plant viruses have emerged in various parts of the world, especially in the tropics and subtropics. As is generally observed for plant viruses, most of the emerging viruses are transmitted horizontally by biological vectors, mainly insects. Reverse genetics using infectious clones--available for many plant viruses--has been used for identification of viral determinants involved in virus-host and virus-vector interactions. Although many studies have identified a number of factors involved in disease development and transmission, the precise mechanisms are unknown for most of the virus-plant-vector combinations. In most cases, the diverse outcomes resulting from virus-virus interactions are poorly understood. Although significant advances have been made towards understand the mechanisms involved in plant resistance to viruses, we are far from being able to apply this knowledge to protect cultivated plants from the all viral threats.The aim of this Special Issue was to provide a platform for researchers interested in plant virology to share their recent results. To achieve this, we invited the plant virology community to submit research articles, short communications and reviews related to the various aspects of plant virology: ecology, virus-plant host interactions, virus-vector interactions, virus-virus interactions, and control strategies. This issue contains some of the best current research in plant virology.

Plant RNA Viruses: Molecular Pathogenesis and Management provides wide-ranging coverage on the recognition and signaling events between plants and RNA viruses. The book examines the molecular biology of signaling, host-virus interaction, RNA virus diversity, and how plants and cellular pathogens interact. Sections cover Virus Diversity and Diagnosis, Virus-Host Interactions and Virus Management. Specific chapters discuss classification and nomenclature of viruses, detail the molecular characteristics of viral genomes, highlight the viral manipulation of cellular key regulatory systems for successful virus infection, and discuss the movement of plant viruses into plant cells. Additional topics include RNA plant viruses and host interaction, detection and diversity of plant RNA viruses, and strategies for combating and management of plant viruses. With contributions from an international group of experts, the book is a comprehensive reference for those in research, academia, industry and anybody engaging in the study of plant viruses at the molecular level.

-- Up-to-date and in-depth analysis.

This book provides a comprehensive look at the field of plant virus evolution. It is the first book ever published on the topic. Individual chapters, written by experts in the field, cover plant virus ecology, emerging viruses, plant viruses that integrate into the host genome, population biology, evolutionary mechanisms and appropriate methods for analysis. It covers RNA viruses, DNA viruses, pararetroviruses and viroids, and presents a number of thought-provoking ideas.

Learn to produce healthier crops and better harvests! This uniquely valuable book highlights the tremendous progress of knowledge in different areas of the field over the last decade. Here you'll find new and useful information about plant molecular virology and how the field can improve the world food situation in the coming years. The last decade has seen remarkable advances in plant virological research, owing mainly to the rapid progress made in molecular biology and genetic engineering in recent years. While recombinant DNA technology has significantly contributed to our understanding of plant viruses, new findings are being accumulated every day as reported in various publications. Plant Viruses As Molecular Pathogens is the only book to bring you all of this information--22 chapters--in a single volume, compiled by specialists around the globe! Use Plant Viruses As Molecular Pathogens to enhance your knowledge of: current virus taxonomy the molecular basis of virus transmission movement of plant viruses replication and gene expression of RNA/DNA viruses resistance to viruses molecular epidemiology recombination events and possible mechanisms molecular diversity novel aspects of plant virus detection technologies With helpful illustrations, photos, figures, models that explain viral mechanisms, and easy-to-understand reference tables, Plant Viruses As Molecular Pathogens will stimulate your thinking on this fascinating area of plant science!