Author Description

Essential for all gardeners, horticulturists, teachers, students and naturalists, this is a practical, highly-illustrated guide to dealing with the pests, diseases and disorders that commonly affect fruit, vegetables, trees and ornamental garden plants. A revision of the highly acclaimed Collins Guide to Pests, Diseases and Disorders first published in 1981, the book now features completely updated text, the addition of several new pests and diseases that have become a threat in the last decade, and an impressive full colour plate section with over 600 photographs. The Introduction provides general information about garden hygiene and plant care and control, including an assessment of pesticides and chemicals. Special attention is given to the increasing importance of biological control in gardens. *The A-to-Z of Symptoms lists all the common garden plants, and describes likely causes of problems with leaves, shoots, flowers, fruit and buds, with cross-references to the detailed entries in the main section of the book. *Pests are arranged by groups of closely related organisms. Problems such as eelworms, slugs, snails, aphids and birds are all dealt with. *Diseases are organised on the basis of symptoms such as rusts, smuts, cankers and rots. *Disorders, like mineral deficiencies and genetic abnormalities, are grouped under the main factors causing them - mechanical, climatic, nutritional etc.