Fungi

"Fungi around some aquatic bodies in Andhra Pradesh, India" is an outcome of our research in the field of Mycology and Plant Pathology. It encompasses major groups of fungi.

The book is intended to enthuse youngsters particularly students of Botany, Microbiology, Biotechnology and Agriculture studying Fungi. It is also helpful to the Plant Pathologists, Agriculturists, Pharmaceutists, Biotechnologists, Environmentalists and Entrepreneurs who intend to create self-employment.

It presents a kaledoscopic view of Fungi. The taxa are described in simple technical language giving diagnostic characters of the genera with photographs, distribution, with a glossary to understand the scientific terms. References are presented at the end of the book, would form a good source of information.

Andhra Pradesh is a potential State for mycological field studies and many areas in the State are still unexplored. This is evident by the list of fungi collected in the districts, enclosed at the end, which presents a good scope of further work on this subject. Every attempt has been made to include a good representative collection of species including some of the recently described taxa. It would be of interest to indicate the usefulness of this data, leading to more intensive biotechnological studies, thereby developing further useful industrial avenues for the benefit of mankind.

Prof. Vasant Rao M.Sc., Ph.D., (Dr. BAM. University), retired Professor of Botany, is engaged in mycological research. He has published 70 papers and guided 16 students for Ph.D. and visited U.K., Netherlands, France, Belgium. He was awarded visiting scientist awards by Netherland Government and British council, U.K. He has worked in ICRISAT as plant pathologist.

Prof. C. Manoharachary, M.Sc., Ph.D., (Osmania University), D.Sc., (University of Mysore), has an experience of 34 years of teaching and research. He has guided 42 Ph.Ds., published 400 research papers in national and international journals, besides authoring and editing 15 books. He has organised 12 national seminars and 1 international conference. He has served as Head, Department of Botany, Chairman, Board of Studies in Botany, Principal, University College of Science, and presently the Co-ordinator, UGC-SAP II-Botany, Osmania University and Dean, UGC and developmental affairs. He held the position of Sectional President of Botany, Indian Science Congress, President, Indian Phytopathological Society and Vice President of Botany, Indian Botanical Society. He has received several national and state awards including Osmania University J.C.Bose Award, Birbal Sahni Medal, A.P. Scientist Award, Best Teacher Award. He had his Post-doctoral work at U.K., U.S.A., Germany and Canada.

G. Suresh Kumar M.Sc., Ph.D., (Osmania University), is a post-doctoral fellow on fungi in Department of Botany, Osmania University. He has to this credit 10 publications and 10 years experience.