Innovations in Plant Pathology: Technologies and Strategies for Sustainable Disease Management

Plant pathology is crucial for global food security, tackling plant diseases that cause up to 40% yield losses in crops like maize, rice, and wheat, costing $220 billion annually. This review synthesizes transformative innovations addressing climate change, pesticide resistance, and global trade challenges. Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning achieve >95% accuracy in disease detection, with tools like Plantix and drone-based hyperspectral imaging reducing pesticide use by 30% in vineyards and wheat fields. CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing develops resistant crops, such as wheat against powdery mildew and bananas against Fusarium wilt, though regulatory and ethical barriers delay adoption. Advanced sensing technologies, including IoT and drones, and molecular diagnostics like high-throughput sequencing enable early detection, but high costs ($1,000–$100,000) limit smallholder access. Integrated Plant Disease Management (IPDM) and biological controls, such as Bacillus subtilis, promote sustainability, cutting fungicide use by 50% in rice systems. Climate change exacerbates pathogen spread, like Phytophthora infestans, and host susceptibility, necessitating resilient crops via breeding and omics. Collaborative networks, like the National Plant Diagnostic Network, enhance global responses to transboundary diseases. Case studies, including AI in Zambia and CRISPR in Asia, demonstrate practical impacts. Challenges—pesticide resistance in 500+ pathogens, equitable technology access, and disaster-related disease spread—demand interdisciplinary solutions. Future priorities include affordable AI, microbiome engineering, climate-smart breeding, and disaster pathology research. By integrating these innovations, plant pathology can ensure sustainable agriculture, mitigating disease impacts for a growing global population.