Sustainable management of plant diseases

Abstract

The disease management strategy represents an important contribution to the sustainability of the farming systems. Plant disease management attempts to maintain disease levels below economic thresholds because complete elimination of disease is unnecessary and may result in unacceptable costs, labour and environmental impacts. Integrated disease management intends to manage plant diseases by assembling complementary approaches, depending on the pathosystem involved, the geographical location and the pedoclimatic conditions. The current chapter provides several examples of sustainable disease management, with particular reference to the control of soilborne diseases of vegetable and ornamentals crops. Healthy soils are fundamental to sustainable disease management. Most practices designed to improve soil health, such as organic matter supplementation also help to suppress the disease development. The use of healthy or treated propagation material is an effective tool to prevent native or alien pathogens. Chemical control with fumigants and fungicides should be considered when other approaches do not achieve the required pathogen control. Rapid and reliable diagnostic methods allow a rational and efficient choice of the management options. Decision support systems should be developed through forecasting models. The choice of the appropriate plant disease management strategy should not only integrate the impact on the soil and crop health, but also on the agricultural and non-agricultural environments, the natural resources, and human health. Economic, social, legislative and political issues should be considered together with regional, national and international regulations.