Fundamentals of Fungi

Contents: Preface. 1. Introduction to fungi. 2. Taxonomy and nomenclature. 3. History of mycology. 4. Myxomycetes. 5. Mastigomycotina. 6. Zygomycotina. 7. Ascomycotina. 8. Basidiomycotina. 9. Deuteromycotina. 10. Present status and future prospects of mycology in India. 11. Glossary. Appendix: Important literatures on mycology.

"The study of fungi is equally important for the students as well as for the scientists, since they cause considerable damage to crop plants of economic importance. Contents based on ICAR revised course curricula of mycology have been incorporated in this compilation.

The subject matter in the form of this book is an outcome of our lecture notes of UG and PG classes. The whole content has been put up in a simple language and precise manner so that the beginners can stand the subject easily. Right from the historical account of mycology in India and abroad, the general structures of fungi, their taxonomic position and life cycles of representative genera of different groups have been described with the help of figures and photographs in lucid manner.

The study of fungi (mycology) is, therefore, a key subject under the course curricula of the postgraduate studies in agriculture and botany. The book Fundamentals of Fungi deals with history of mycology, taxonomy and nomenclature of fungi supported by well illustrated account of the life cycles of different groups of fungi. The book has a comprehensive coverage of general structure of fungi, economic importance, morphological features of fungi causing major diseases like rusts, smuts, downy and powdery mildews."