The Genomic Revolution and Sustainable Management of Infectious Plant Disease: Aligning Policies with Objectives

Every year, persistent infectious agents and invertebrate pests cause multibillion dollar losses of crop yield and quality, as well as substantial ecological and landscape impacts (e.g., through tree disease).

However, the “Genomic Revolution” is providing profound new insights into the diversity of organisms that exists in and on plants (above and below ground) as well as the sophisticated biology that plants deploy to discriminate among, and respond to, potential beneficial and detrimental invaders. This elevation of basic understanding is opening new opportunities for managing the risks posed by pests and diseases.