Novel Detection Techniques for Plant Pathogens and Their Application in Disease Management

Abstract

Precise disease diagnosis and pathogen detection are of utmost importance, as without this ability we can neither hope to understand the disease nor in many cases control it. Detection deals with establishing the presence of a particular target organism within a sample, including symptomless individuals. Diagnosis relates to the identification of the nature and cause of the disease problem and thus deals with plants showing the symptoms. All aspects of plant disease epidemiology, from disease spread to estimation of yield losses, require the ability to identify the pathogen. Implementation of plant disease regulations through quarantine also requires the ability to diagnose plant disease. Increasing globalization and the international trade in plants and plant products also poses threat of inadvertent introduction of exotic pests and pathogens. Hence, importance of diagnostic tests has increased manyfold in modern era. In addition to detecting new invasive species, rapid and accurate diagnostic tests are required to monitor the emergence of novel variants of well-established pathogens. Improved techniques are vital to safeguard food security in the face of threatening diseases emerging as a consequence of climate change or other environmental shifts, or due to new agricultural practices. Detection of pathogens may be carried out either by employing conventional or relatively modern methods.