Book Scape. Mycology and Phytopathology P.D. Sharma Rastogi Publications, Meerut pp 367 Price Rs 325 ISBN:

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1 The Botanica 66 : Mycology and Phytopathology P.D. Sharma Rastogi Publications, Meerut pp 367 Price Rs 325 ISBN: In the recent past, the discipline of mycology has diversified making it an important task for authors to provide a balanced, comprehensive and integrated account of fungi in a single book. A major errand for mycologists is to place the fungi in the apt taxonomic context signifying its biological aspects in a holistic manner. The book Mycology and Phytopathology caters to the need of students and teachers providing important topics such as fungal taxonomy, fungal ecology, pathology and biotechnology appraising the link between fundamental and applied mycology. The book features recent progress made in this field with extensive reference to literarure with list of suggested readings at the end of the book. The advances in techniques to study ultrastructure, molecular taxonomy have cleared the inclusion and exclusion of certain groups of organisms to the group fungi. The text aims to clear basic concepts of this group, describing the characteristics in terms of structure, behaviour, vegetative state, reproduction and life cycle patterns. Designed in accordance with the undergraduate courses under Choice Based Credit System (CBCS) programme of UGC, this edition elucidates the structure and classification of fungi along with an introduction to their physiology, biochemistry, genetics and ecology. The textbook essentially consists of four parts. It begins with a chapter enumerating the characteristics of true fungi, their affinities with other eukaryotes. It describes the diversity in thallus structure, mycelial tissues, and reproduction. Chapters 2, 3 and 4 deal with morphology taxonomy and life cycles of allied members that are not true fungi, however traditionally continued to be studied by mycologists. Chapters 5, 6, 7 and 8 are dedicated to phyla Chytridiomycota, Zygomycota, Ascomycota and Basidiomycota respectively. These chapters provide morphology, taxonomy, ecology, physiology, reproduction, life cycle and economic importance of important taxa in a comparative manner. Chapters 9 and 10 describe symbiotic associations of fungi with other organisms such as algae, insects and higher plants, and explore their ecological roles. Book Scape Chapter 11 elucidates applications of fungi in industry, agriculture and medicine along with the recent developments in fermentation technology. Last five chapters (12 to 16) are dedicated to phytopathology - covering its basic concepts, host- pathogen interactions, plant disease epidemiology, methods of plant disease control and some plant diseases of economic and academic importance. Written essentially for the beginners, the book is richly illustrated throughout with good quality drawings. Illustrated life cycles are provided, and technical terms are clearly explained. The size of the font, and the arrangement of the text in combination with illustrations makes it very comfortable to read. The price of the book is also reasonable (Rs 325) and seems to be affordable to

2 the students. The book will serve as in valuable possession for UnderGraduate, and Honours students, research workers and teachers of Botany, Mycology and Plant Pathology, Microbiology, Biotechnology. Professor Rupam Kapoor Department of Botany University of Delhi Delhi Pioneers of Ecological Restoration : The People and Legacy of The University of Wisconsin l Arboretum Franklin E Court, The University rd of Wisconsin Press, 1930 Monroe Street, 3 Floor, Madison, Wisconsin ; pp 468 Price Rs. 294 ISBN The book presents a wonderful historical (of the past about 100 years) account of the University of Wisconsin Arboretum. It emphasises the significance of ecological restoration by tracing the legacy of this internationally renowned institution. The efforts of the founding fathers in establishing the Arboretum as a Centre for excellence in ecological studies must be appreciated. This is all the more necessary when one learns of the numerous obstacles they overcame in order to establish the concept of Ecological Conscience. This was beautifully described by Aldo Leopold (the first Director of Research). In 1947, Leopold remarked: The practice of conservation must come from a conviction of what is ethically and aesthetically right... A thing is right only when it tends to preserve the integrity, stability, and beauty of the community; and the community includes the soil, waters, fauna and flora, as well as the people. This should serve as an important lesson in today's world when environmental concerns are engaging the attention of scientists, politicians, thinkers, and all human kind. The increasing levels of pollution in the civilized world along with the alarming rise in the CO 2 levels in the atmosphere, leading to global warming are matters of grave concern. At the same time, the importance of understanding the significance of biodiversity and its relationship with the environment becomes necessary. Many of these aspects can be correlated with the development and establishment of this Arboretum. The need to establish this institution has been traced to 1908, when John Nolen a landscape architect and city planner visited Madison. Working in Cambridge, Massachusetts, he was influenced by the Arnold Arboretum in his city planning. He appreciated the benefits of designing urban centres around preserved or restored green belt areas. The location of the University of Wisconsin close to the City Centre in Madison led him to suggest that besides the grounds and buildings of the University, there should be the establishment of forms, forces, and expressions of science, art and culture so that Madison would be different from all other cities of the State. He was the first person to have mentioned the need to have an Arboretum in Madison, in 1911 when he published a report entitled Madison: A Model City. He was in correspondence with several of the founding fathers of the Arboretum till his death on February 18, This report became the most important document in the final establishment of the Arboretum. Interestingly, there is a reference in this volume to the book The Forest Trees of Wisconsin (Increase A. Lapham, 1853) It would seem to be peculiarly appropriate for our Universities and Colleges to secure upon the grounds by which they are surrounded, at least one good specimen of each tree and shrub that grows naturally in Wisconsin; and I will venture to predict 203

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6 Global Issues in Environmental Discourse Ashutosh Kumar; Atlantic Publishers and Distributors (P) Ltd, New Delhi pp 408 Price Rs. 995 ISBN Understanding the environmental issues at a global level is necessary to attain sustainable development. These issues have become perplexed with more of social, political and economic interventions that impede advancement to comprehensive solutions. The book is an exemplar with diverse views on major environmental issues such as biodiversity crises, effects of climate change and global warming, sustainable development and environmental movements. The book tries to weave a chronology of environment-related issues in history. It fills the lacuna for rarely found books on environment that traverse the path of history to address these issues. Our present understanding of the environment and environment related issues demand a tactical stint in our approach towards a better future. The chapters are intricately woven with up-to-date facts supported by tables and selfexplanatory figures. For a lay reader seeking multiple perspectives on environmental concerns this book is a welcome source. Five major global themes have been discussed namely, biodiversity, global warming, sustainable development, climate change conferences and environmentalism that are presented as five different chapters. The sections in the book are both thematic and based on perspectives that vary from the exclusivist, conservationist, socialist and political. The first introductory chapter discusses diverse aspects of issues related to biodiversity. The chapter reviews various conceptual theories that deal with biodiversity that range across scientific, social, cultural and ethical perceptions. It signifies the importance of studying biodiversity suggesting the need for a large number of species that remain unclassified. It enlists the factors disturbing biodiversity at large and the realistic approaches that have been taken for its conservation. It details the impacts of loss of biodiversity that affects the genetic pool and is responsible for ecological degradation. Other indirect effects such as deforestation, global warming, rise in the sea level and poverty are also discussed. The author has laid emphasis on the limitations of the conservation practices followed and encourages a more practical and realistic approach with local participation to restrict the loss of biodiversity. The second chapter deals with global warming and states its alarming situation. It explains the dynamic process of climate change and 207

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