The persistent threat of emerging plant disease pandemics to global food security

2021/05/21 by Jean B. Ristaino, Pamela K. Anderson, Daniel P. Bebber +14 · 26 citations
Agricultural and Biological Sciences · Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · #Plant Pathogens and Fungal Diseases #Plant Pathogens and Resistance #Plant Virus Research Studies

paper · doi:10.1073/pnas.2022239118

openalex publication_date 2021/05/21 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/30

Abstract

Plant disease outbreaks are increasing and threaten food security for the vulnerable in many areas of the world. Now a global human pandemic is threatening the health of millions on our planet. A stable, nutritious food supply will be needed to lift people out of poverty and improve health outcomes. Plant diseases, both endemic and recently emerging, are spreading and exacerbated by climate change, transmission with global food trade networks, pathogen spillover, and evolution of new pathogen lineages. In order to tackle these grand challenges, a new set of tools that include disease surveillance and improved detection technologies including pathogen sensors and predictive modeling and data analytics are needed to prevent future outbreaks. Herein, we describe an integrated research agenda that could help mitigate future plant disease pandemics.

Citations

• Plant Disease Detection by Imaging Sensors – Parallels and Specific Demands for Precision Agriculture and Plant Phenotyping
• Range-Expanding Pests and Pathogens in a Warming World

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