The Evolutionary Ecology of Plant Disease
Gregory S. Gilbert and Ingrid M. Parker
Oxford University Press, £39.99
Theodosius Dobzhansky famously stated that ‘nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution’. So, uniting studies in plant pathology with evolutionary biology makes complete sense. More than merely just making sense, this book has clear yet concise details and takes the reader through the course at an achievable pace. There are colourful illustrations, useful learning tips such as a mnemonic to remember rust spore types and insert boxes to highlight key processes or techniques, such as serological testing using ELISA. To help non-experts, there are primers on some mathematical analyses such as population models. New terms are highlighted in bold; a glossary of these words would be a useful addition.
The first section has chapters introducing plant, fungal, oomycete, bacterial and viral biology with a breadth of examples of different crop diseases as well as plant diseases of concern to conservationists. The second half focuses on evolutionary ecological studies of plant-microbe symbiotic relationships. This includes chapters on population biology, community and spatial ecology in addition to physiology, genetics, microbiomes and disease management.
The economic and social impacts of plant diseases must not be understated. There is always the potential of future epidemics in staple crops similar to the devastating global outbreak of a soil fungus, Fusarium oxysporum about 70 years ago that virtually wiped out certain banana varieties with Panama disease. Evolutionary ecology draws on theories from a diversity of sources, enabling robust analysis and management of epidemics. Bearing in mind the cost of the current UK pandemic inquiry, this book would be value for money reading for those concerned with future (plant) pandemic prevention.
Dr Alexander Waller FRSB
Reviewed by Dr Alexander Waller FRSB, visiting professor of science education and environmental ethics at the American University of Sovereign Nations
