Plant pests and diseases impact both food security and natural ecosystems, and the impact has been accelerated in recent years due to several confounding factors. The globalisation of trade has moved pests out of natural ranges, creating damaging epidemics in new regions. Climate change has extended the range of pests and the pathogens they vector. Resistance to agrochemicals has made pathogens, pests, and weeds more difficult to control. Early detection is critical to achieve effective control, both from a biosecurity as well as an endemic pest perspective. Molecular diagnostics has revolutionised our ability to identify pests and diseases over the past two decades, but more recent technological innovations are enabling us to achieve better pest surveillance. In this review, we will explore the different technologies that are enabling this advancing capability and discuss the drivers that will shape its future deployment.

https://dx.doi.org/10.1042/etls20200300

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James Legghttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-4140-3757

https://dx.doi.org/10.1042/etls20200300

Plant Production and Health

Agronomy; Climate Change; Food Security; Pests of Plants; Plant Breeding; Plant Diseases; Plant Health; Plant Production

Pests of Plants; Plant Diseases; Food Security; Climate Change; Remote Sensing

Eastern Africa Hub

Emerging Topics in Life Sciences