Abstract
Pests and pathogens are a major cause for economic losses in agriculture. Especially the production of pome and stone fruits of high quality require numerous applications of biological and chemical pesticides across the season. Moreover, climate change and the increasing number of invasive species lead to new challenges to control pests and pathogens which will require an increasing number of pesticide applications. On the other hand, in the European Green Deal, the European Commission proposed a 50% reduction of pesticide applications by 2030. To achieve this ambitious goal and to reduce negative side effects to non-target organisms and the environment, alternatives to the common chemical and biological pesticide applications are needed. Currently, many researchers across the world are investigating how crops can be protected against pests and pathogens in a more sustainable way by increasing the plant resistance and adaptability, reducing the fitness and damage potential of pests and pathogens, developing physiological alternatives to chemical pest control, and developing new direct application tools. Here we highlight a selection of innovative approaches for a future sustainable control of pests and pathogens