Chitin, the second most abundant polysaccharide in nature after cellulose, is found in the
exoskeleton of insects, fungi, yeast, and algae, and in the internal structures of other …

Chitin is the second most abundant organic and renewable source in nature, after cellulose.
Chitinases are chitin-degrading enzymes. Chitinases have important biophysiological …

Biocontrol involves harnessing disease-suppressive microorganisms to improve plant
health. Disease suppression by biocontrol agents is the sustained manifestation of …

Disease resistance in transgenic plants has been improved, for the first time, by the insertion
of a gene from a biocontrol fungus. The gene encoding a strongly antifungal endochitinase …

Exploring the role of enzymes in biogeochemical processes, this reference explores the
function, molecular biology, and biochemistry of microorganisms and their intra-and extra …

Chitinases catalyze the hydrolysis of chitin, an unbranched polymer of β-1, 4-N-
acetylglucosamine. In recent years, soil-borne microorganisms that produce chitinases are …

Publisher Summary There has been a large upsurge in interest in biological disease control
recently, reflecting increasing environmental concern over pesticide use. This chapter …

The many achievements of modern agriculture notwithstanding, certain cultural practices
have actually enhanced the destructive potential of crop diseases caused by fungi. These …

Entomopathogenic fungi are currently being used for the control of several insect pests as
alternatives or supplements to chemical insecticides. Improvements in virulence and speed …

The goal of this research was to improve scab resistance of apple by transformation with
genes encoding chitinolytic enzymes from the bio-control organism Trichoderma harzianum …