Key Challenges in Plant Pathology in the Next Decade.

Area of Science:

• Plant Pathology
• Agricultural Science
• Food Security

Background:

• Plant diseases cause substantial crop yield losses, impacting global food security and safety.
• Estimated annual economic losses from plant pathogens and pests reach approximately US$220 billion.
• Major crops like maize, rice, and wheat face significant yield reductions due to diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and rank key challenges in plant pathology for the next decade.
• To address critical issues impacting plant health, food security, and food safety.
• To explore solutions for plant disease detection, resistance, and control strategies.

Main Methods:

• A survey conducted by The American Phytopathological Society (APS) identified key challenges.
• A special issue of Phytopathology published papers addressing these identified challenges.
• Thematic exploration of climate change effects, disease resistance, specific pathogens, and disaster impacts.

Main Results:

• Key challenges identified include climate change impacts on disease outbreaks, plant disease resistance mechanisms, and specific pathogens like *Candidatus* Liberibacter spp. and *Xylella fastidiosa*.
• Disease detection, disaster impacts, and control strategies were explored.
• Open access principles for maximizing findability, accessibility, interoperability, and reuse (FAIR) of digital assets in plant pathology were discussed.

Conclusions:

• Identifying challenges and tracking solutions are essential for resolving plant pathology issues.
• Addressing these challenges will ultimately ensure plant health, food security, and food safety.
• Proactive research and collaboration are vital for mitigating the impact of plant diseases.