Introduction - Disease Control in Crops - page 5

1.3 Conclusions

The continued ability of pathogens to overcome host resistance genes and to develop
resistance to fungicides seriously erodes our ability to provide effective, lasting disease
control on important crops. These problems, combined with the withdrawal of active
substances from the market and increasing public concern with the effects of pesticides
on the environment creates a huge challenge for plant pathology in the future. Plant
disease control has an important role to play in our efforts to feed the ten billion (Evans,
1998). However, providing effective and lasting disease control, without harming the
environment, will require more than a sensible approach to the use of host resistance and
fungicides. It also requires a well-developed arsenal that includes a range of innovative
approaches. In some situations, innovative control methods might be used to complement
existing approaches. In other cases, for example for those diseases for which no adequate
control measures exist, innovative control options might provide the only solution. The
following chapters examine the use of a range of biological and environmentally friendly
approaches to control plant diseases. It starts with cultural control, which, although not
necessarily innovative, provides the foundation for disease control in crops.

1.4 Acknowledgements

Scottish Agricultural College receives fi nancial support from the Scottish Government
Rural and Environment Research and Analysis Directorate (RERAD).

1.5 References

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