This volume is the first in a series covering all aspects of plant-microbe interactions. It reflects the current state of knowledge of plant-microbe relationships and provides summaries of research. The series will include such topics as beneficial plant symbioses, plant pathology, plant genetics, molecular biology, agronomy, ecology and phytochemistry. This volume features material on: molecular cloning of plant disease resistance genes; transgenetic plants for disease control; systemic acquired resistance; interactions of grasses with epichole-type fungal endophytes; pathogenesis and sexual development of the smut fungi. It also covers current concepts in the use of introduced bacteria for biological disease control: mechanisms and antifungal metabolites; legume signals to rhizobial symbionts; and nodulation factors plant-microbe interactions which provide professional researchers and graduate students with an increased understanding of the interactions between bacteria and plants.