About this Research Topic
Phytoplasmas are a large group of plant pathogenic bacteria causing alarming invasive emerging diseases worldwide. They are associated with different vector-borne phyto-pathologies which can cause high economic losses in agriculturally important crops, and hence, pose a severe threat to agriculture and food security worldwide. This is even augmented in the light of climate change and the associated changes in insect vector occurrence. Despite their importance and associated threat, curative treatments against phytoplasmoses are not available. Current measures mainly focus on detection and eradication of infected reservoir plants and combatting transmitting vector insects. There is an ongoing process of disentangling biological processes and mechanisms underlying pathogenicity of different phytoplasma, but translational research in how to implement these findings in practical applications is scarce. Improving and translating our knowledge into applications is crucial for the development of specific, sustainable, and intelligent control strategies.
Phytoplasmas have very complex life cycles, including interactions with both plant and insect hosts. Translation of scientific findings from basic research into reliable applications in the field which can be used by advisers and practitioners is thus challenging and requires specific praxis-driven efforts. This includes different aspects, such as implementing digital technologies, e.g., for remote identification of diseased plants, phenotyping, and functional genomics, developing and improving diagnostic tools for early detection of infections, knowledge-based identification of effective management practices, development of resistant cultivars, alternative control measures such as biological control agents, or any other aspect relevant advances in the field. This Research topic fosters articles that provide a nexus to connect theoretical knowledge about different aspects of phytoplasmoses to a potential application in the field. By focusing on translating scientific knowledge into practical ideas and applications we can help to improve the management of phytoplasma diseases worldwide and ultimately contribute to the sustainability of agriculture and the environment.
This Research Topic is interdisciplinary and open to articles from all scientific fields. Especially manuscripts are invited that provide the below:
i) information for the use of new technologies and digitalization
ii) experimental results that open new perspectives
or
iii) an impetus for potential phytosanitary applications in the field of phytoplasmology
Authors must clearly describe how the submitted manuscript meets the scope of the section and the Research Topic. Besides this, review, opinion, and perspectives papers from experts in the field will be considered for publication to motivate collaborative discussions and to drive future research toward translational approaches. Please note that purely descriptive studies are not permitted.
Phytoplasmas have very complex life cycles, including interactions with both plant and insect hosts. Translation of scientific findings from basic research into reliable applications in the field which can be used by advisers and practitioners is thus challenging and requires specific praxis-driven efforts. This includes different aspects, such as implementing digital technologies, e.g., for remote identification of diseased plants, phenotyping, and functional genomics, developing and improving diagnostic tools for early detection of infections, knowledge-based identification of effective management practices, development of resistant cultivars, alternative control measures such as biological control agents, or any other aspect relevant advances in the field. This Research topic fosters articles that provide a nexus to connect theoretical knowledge about different aspects of phytoplasmoses to a potential application in the field. By focusing on translating scientific knowledge into practical ideas and applications we can help to improve the management of phytoplasma diseases worldwide and ultimately contribute to the sustainability of agriculture and the environment.
This Research Topic is interdisciplinary and open to articles from all scientific fields. Especially manuscripts are invited that provide the below:
i) information for the use of new technologies and digitalization
ii) experimental results that open new perspectives
or
iii) an impetus for potential phytosanitary applications in the field of phytoplasmology
Authors must clearly describe how the submitted manuscript meets the scope of the section and the Research Topic. Besides this, review, opinion, and perspectives papers from experts in the field will be considered for publication to motivate collaborative discussions and to drive future research toward translational approaches. Please note that purely descriptive studies are not permitted.
Keywords: phytoplasmology, plant pathogenic bacteria, diseases, climate change, agriculture
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
