Polymerase chain reaction (PCR), a powerful method for amplifying DNA fragments, has had an enormous impact on research throughout biology. This book discusses the wide-ranging applications of PCR in pure and applied mycology. Following an overview of PCR techniques, the book contains a series of chapters where renowned mycologists describe the use of PCR in their own specialized fields. Topics include fungal gene expression and cloning, taxonomy and speciation, fungal mycobionts, mycorrhizal fungi, entomopathogenic fungi, mycotoxin-producing fungi, diagnosis of fungal animal infections, seed-borne diseases, fungal/plant interactions and applications with industrially-important fungi. The volume, which concludes with a discussion of future directions for PCR work, is an invaluable source for researchers and advanced students in all branches of mycology and for biologists and biochemists interested in molecular techniques.