Book editor and senior experimentalist with the Queensland Department of Employment Economic Development and Innovation (DEEDI), Tony Cooke, said the revised book would be Australia’s new standard reference in applied plant pathology.

Mr Cooke said Diseases of Fruit Crops in Australia was an essential tool for growers, horticulturists, crop consultants, research scientists, plant pathologists, quarantine officers, agribusiness representatives, pest management personnel, educators and students.

“The book is generously illustrated with more than 450 high quality colour images to help diagnose diseases and explains how to identify and manage each disease, describing disease symptoms, importance, source of infection, spread and control measures,” he said.

“Early detection and treatment of diseases, as well as adopting preventative measures, can significantly reduce crop losses and costs to Australian fruit and nut growers each year.

“This new book has been fully revised and expanded, updating management practices that had evolved since publication of the second edition.

“Importantly, this new edition contains the latest information on diseases that have recently emerged in Australia, as well as diseases that are biosecurity threats to our fruit and nut production.”

Mr Cooke said Diseases of Fruit Crops in Australia had been written in a straightforward style with a minimum of scientific terms.

“It’s an easy-to-read, practical guide to understanding and identifying and managing diseases of important fruit crops, with high quality colour photos clearly illustrating disease symptoms,” he said.

“The book contains a comprehensive glossary and provides up-to-date sources of further information.”

The book was written and edited by Tony Cooke, with fellow DEEDI (Queensland) officers principal plant pathologist Denis Persley and senior information extension officer Dr Susan House.

Mr Cooke said although most of the authors were from DEEDI (Queensland), plant pathologists from all states had contributed either as authors or by providing images and information.

Diseases of Fruit Crops in Australia costs $150 (retail) and is available from CSIRO Publishing and good booksellers on the web.