Monitoring airborne inoculum for improved plant disease management. A review

Abstract Global demand for pesticide-free food products is increasing rapidly. Crops of all types are, however, under constant threat from various plant pathogens. To achieve adequate control with minimal pesticide use, close monitoring imperative. Many pathogens spread through the air, so atmosphere composed a wide variety pathogenic and non-plant organisms, in particular agricultural environments. Aerobiology science that studies airborne microorganisms their distribution, especially as agents infection. Although this discipline has existed decades, development new molecular technologies contributing to an increase use aerobiological data several purposes, day-to-day improving our understanding pathosystems. importance knowing size composition pathogen populations present air recognized, technical constraints hinder aerobiology. Here we review application spore sampling systems agriculture discuss main considerations underlying implementation inoculum monitoring. The results literature confirm study escape source its role diseases well mastered, but point at lack knowledge proceed deployment these landscape scale. Thus, conclude surveillance networks are still early stages although more initiatives emerging, research must be conducted primarily integrate evolving improve access, analysis, interpretation sharing data. These tools needed estimate short- medium-term risks, identify most appropriate measures lowest environmental risk, develop indicators document effects climate change, monitor evolution genotypes multiple scales.