About this Research Topic
Thus, research efforts are focused on understanding the biology of pathogenic fungi and the genetics of their populations and developing sustainable management strategies. Integrated disease management strategies are used to address fungal diseases. The use of certain cultural practices can help reduce disease incidence. However, the use of fungicides, whether synthetic or organic, is often necessary, especially during critical disease periods. Recent advances in disease management include the use of new molecular techniques to identify and characterize pathogenic fungi, which contributes to the development of targeted control strategies, especially against emerging diseases. In addition, the adoption of precision agriculture technologies, such as remote sensing and predictive modeling, enables early detection and timely intervention. Ongoing research also focuses on the induction of suppressing soils and the exploration of natural compounds and biopesticides as alternatives to synthetic fungicides, and the development of resistant varieties through traditional breeding or genetic engineering.
This Research Topic welcomes submissions on the below, but not limited to, topics:
- Genomic analysis of fungal pathogens: genetic diversity, pathogenicity mechanisms, and potential targets for disease control
- Biocontrol agents: mode of action, application methods, and optimization for sustainable disease management
- Host-pathogen interactions: mechanisms of infection, plant defense responses, and potential targets for enhancing plant resistance
- Plant-soil microbial interactions: role un plant health and nutrition
- Epidemiology and disease forecasting: predictive models and using remote sensing technologies
- Fungicide resistance: occurrence and mechanisms of fungicide resistance, exploring alternative strategies anti-resistance
- Climate change impacts: influence of climate change on the epidemiology and severity of fungal diseases
- Sustainable disease management alternatives: anaerobic soil disinfection, suppressive soil amendments, natural compounds, plant extracts, and biopesticides
- Integrated disease management strategies: combining cultural practices, chemical control, biological control, and resistant cultivars
Authors interested in contributing to these lines of research should provide original research articles or reviews that present novel findings, methodologies, or perspectives related to the specific research area.
Potential conflict of interest: Dr. Manuel Aviles is a minority partner in a Spanish company dedicated to the procurement and commercialization of Biological Control Agents for crops (Biocontrol Technologies SL.).
Keywords: fungal disease, berries, crops, disease management, biopesticides, plant-soil microbes, epidemiology
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.