Spices are plant substances that add aroma, color, flavor, taste, and texture to food. They are derived from seeds, fruits, roots, barks, or other plant components. Spices have unique compounds that confer their sensory properties. In addition to culinary uses, spices are employed in medicine, religious rituals, cosmetics, and the production of fragrances and perfumes. This book focuses on the diseases affecting 29 spice crops and provides comprehensive information on each crop, including descriptions of the produce and the symptoms of the diseases that affect them. The book also includes detailed information on the control measures that can be taken to manage the diseases. Numerous color photographs of the crops and affected produce, as well as images of the symptoms of the diseases, are included to aid in identification. Additionally, the book features information on the general characteristics of the fungal genera that cause the diseases, as well as illustrations depicting the life cycle of the fungal pathogens.

Dr. L. Darwin Chrisdhas Henry obtained his B.Sc. Degree in Botany from Madras Christian College, Chennai. He continued his under graduate and post graduate degree courses in Agriculture at Allahabad Agricultural Institute. He joined as an Assistant Professor in Plant Pathology, Faculty of Agriculture, Annamalai University. He has completed his doctorate specialising in the field of edible mushrooms. He has published a number of research articles in National and International Journals. He has authored a book entitled ‘Crop Diseases’ published by NIPA, New Delhi and also a book entitled ‘Plant Ecology’ published by M/S. Agri-Biovet Press, New Delhi. He is also a coauthor of a book entitled ‘Illustrated Plant Pathology’ published by NIPA, New Delhi. Apart from his wide exposure to different agricultural crops, he has specialised in the cultivation of different species of edible mushrooms.

H. Lewin Devasahayam after completion of his post graduate education from the Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi joined the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University in 1960 and served the university for 30 years in various capacities and retired as Associate Professor of Plant Pathology in 1990. He has published more than 50 research articles in various leading Indian and foreign jounals. He is the author of the books entitled ‘Practical manual of Entomology’, ‘Elemets of Entomoly’ ‘Illutrated Plant Pathology’ and co-author of the book ‘Crop diseases’, all the above four books have been published by NIPA, New Delhi. He is also the co-author of the book entitled ‘Plant Ecology’ published by M/S. Agri-Biovet Press, New Delhi.

1. Introduction, 2. Diseases of Spice Crops, 3. General Characters of Pathogens Affecting Spice Crops