Bamboos are considered very hardy plants, although they do, from time to time, suffer devastation from diseases. Bamboos are now increasingly being grown in plantations, and this necessitates increased vigilance against disease attacks, and preparedness for effective and rapid control if the attack occurs.

Recognizing this, the Network Planning Group of
the International Network for Bamboo and Rattan (INBAR), at its meeting in Singapore in 1993, placed
high priority on gathering available information on diseases of bamboos in Asian countries and the publication of this information in the form of a user-friendly,
amply illustrated manual. INBAR entrusted the
work to Dr C. Mohanan of the Kerala Forest Research Institute, and through the award of an internship, facilitated the collection of information from various
parts of the continent.

We are delighted that this task has now been completed most satisfactorily, thanks to the dedicated work that Dr Mohanan put in. Apart from the national scientists throughout Asia who helped in gathering information necessary for this manual, INBAR also thanks:
Dr C.T.S. Nair of FORSPA for his interest in the project; Prof. W. Liese of Germany who contributed greatly to drawing the international community's attention to diseases of bamboos; and Dr E. Boa of the UK who has been particularly helpful to INBAR in this current project in reviewing parts of the draft manual.

We hope that this landmark publication will stimulate further research, especially on the development of appropriate control measures where needed.