ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT Phytopathology is an interdisciplinary biological science that comprises botany, microbiology, crop science, soil science, ecology, genetics, biochemistry, molecular biology, and physiology. In general, plant diseases are caused by living organisms (called pathogens) and by nonliving agents. Plant diseases and changes in existing pathogens remain a constant threat to our forests, food and ber crops, and landscape plants. However, many economically important pathosystems are largely unexplored and biologically relevant life stages of even familiar systems remain poorly understood. Development of new and innovative ways to control plant diseases is a constant challenge for plant pathologists. The modern mindset in this context favors a broad perspective that considers multifaceted approaches to plant pathogenic bacterial control. This chapter, which discusses impact of plant pathogenic bacterial pathogenesis on scientic and economic levels, introduces the various mechanisms, measuring tools, and controlling strategies that will be elaborated in the following chapters.
