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Horticulturae
Special Issues
Emerging Technologies and Integrated Approaches for Horticultural Plant Disease Management
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Emerging Technologies and Integrated Approaches for Horticultural Plant Disease Management

A special issue of Horticulturae (ISSN 2311-7524). This special issue belongs to the section "Plant Pathology and Disease Management (PPDM)".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (14 February 2026) | Viewed by 5195

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Piao Yang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Molecular Genetics, College of Arts and Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
Interests: molecular genetics; plant pathology; cell biology
Dr. Wei Wei

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
USDA ARS Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
Interests: insect-transmissible plant pathogenic mollicutes; host-pathogen interactions; phytoplasma taxonomy and classification; phytoplasma database construction; high throughput omics studies; molecular diagnosis and epidemiology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Ling Lu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Molecular Genetics, College of Arts and Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
Interests: plant science; plant immunity; molecular mechanisms of host resistance to pathogens; plant-microbe interactions

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue, "Emerging Technologies and Integrated Approaches for Horticultural Plant Disease Management", will explore cutting-edge solutions to address the persistent challenge of plant diseases in horticulture. It will cover a wide range of innovative topics, from advanced detection methods like molecular techniques and imaging technologies to novel disease resistance strategies such as host-induced gene silencing and targeting plant susceptibility genes. The issue will delve into integrated management systems that combine biological, chemical, and cultural control methods, as well as the application of precision agriculture and smart technologies. It will also examine the emergence of new pathogens and diseases, particularly in the context of climate change. The role of big data and artificial intelligence in disease identification, prediction, and management will be explored, alongside sustainable and eco-friendly approaches to disease control. Additionally, the issue will address the economic impacts and policy implications of these new strategies, providing a comprehensive overview of the current state and future directions in plant disease management. This collection of research will be invaluable to scientists, agricultural professionals, policymakers, and industry stakeholders working to mitigate the effects of plant diseases on crop production and food security.

Dr. Piao Yang
Dr. Wei Wei
Dr. Ling Lu
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Horticulturae is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • molecular diagnostics
  • remote sensing
  • integrated pest management
  • biocontrol agents
  • pathogen surveillance
  • precision agriculture
  • host-induced gene silencing
  • disease resistance breeding
  • sustainable disease control
  • plant–pathogen interactions

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 4747 KB  
Article
Identification of Botrytis cinerea as a Walnut Fruit Rot Pathogen, and Its Biocontrol by Trichoderma
by Andrea Zabiák, András Csótó, Károly Pál, Erzsébet Fekete, Levente Karaffa and Erzsébet Sándor
Horticulturae 2025, 11(7), 725; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae11070725 - 22 Jun 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2161
Abstract
Walnut (Juglans regia L.) fruit rot significantly impacts yield and quality, yet the pathogens responsible for it remain insufficiently characterized. In this study, we identified several fungi associated with the disease and characterized their morphology and physiology. Pathogenicity tests at two developmental [...] Read more.
Walnut (Juglans regia L.) fruit rot significantly impacts yield and quality, yet the pathogens responsible for it remain insufficiently characterized. In this study, we identified several fungi associated with the disease and characterized their morphology and physiology. Pathogenicity tests at two developmental stages of the walnut fruit were performed for the newly described pathogen. Among the Botrytis, Alternaria, and Penicillium species, Botrytis cinerea sensu lato stands out as a newly identified pathogen of the cultivated walnut. Growth assessments revealed variability in B. cinerea strains, with consistent patterns found across different temperatures. Pathogenicity of the isolated B. cinerea strains differed: one strain caused husk necrosis, three strains caused kernel necrosis in younger fruits, while two strains induced kernel necrosis in the later developmental stages. Additionally, we evaluated the biocontrol potential of Trichoderma strains against B. cinerea and demonstrated their efficiency in suppressing each isolated B. cinerea strain (76–100% inhibition), highlighting their potential in sustainable disease management in walnut production. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Technologies and Integrated Approaches for Horticultural Plant Disease Management)
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Review

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19 pages, 1796 KB  
Review
Bacteriophages of Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris: Current Knowledge and Potential for Biocontrol Applications
by Aljoša Beber, Janja Lamovšek and Irena Mavrič Pleško
Horticulturae 2026, 12(3), 288; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12030288 - 28 Feb 2026
Viewed by 767
Abstract
Bacteriophages (phages) are common and diverse viruses that specifically infect bacteria. Although their potential to suppress bacterial pathogens was recognized a century ago, their broader use remained limited for decades. Today, renewed interest in phages is rapidly expanding beyond medical use into agriculture, [...] Read more.
Bacteriophages (phages) are common and diverse viruses that specifically infect bacteria. Although their potential to suppress bacterial pathogens was recognized a century ago, their broader use remained limited for decades. Today, renewed interest in phages is rapidly expanding beyond medical use into agriculture, where they are being explored as environmentally friendly tools for managing bacterial plant diseases. Despite growing interest, our understanding of phage biology and genetics remains limited. This review focuses on phages that specifically infect Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris (Xcc), a bacterial pathogen that seriously challenges the production of commercially valuable crops such as cabbage and broccoli. Phages could provide a much-needed addition to the current management practices that often fail to provide consistent results, especially when environmental conditions favor disease development. Here we summarize the currently available knowledge on Xcc phages, including their morphology, growth parameters, and stability under various environmental conditions, genomic features and basic genetic characteristics. Given recent changes in phage taxonomy, we also outline the newly adopted genome-based classification system, which has led to the reclassification of all officially recognized Xcc phages. A summary of practical applications provides encouraging results and paves the way for future research on phages of various plant pathogenic bacteria and their potential commercial use. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Technologies and Integrated Approaches for Horticultural Plant Disease Management)
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26 pages, 1201 KB  
Review
A Review of Available eDNA Sampling Methods for Plant Disease Surveillance in Horticultural Nurseries Across Contrasting Phytopathogenic Groups
by Kes Daly, Craig Murphy, Richard O’Hanlon, Adam P. Ryan, Michelle E. H. Thompson and Trevor R. Hodkinson
Horticulturae 2026, 12(3), 278; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12030278 - 26 Feb 2026
Viewed by 705
Abstract
Phytopathogens threaten natural ecosystems and global food security. Horticultural trade is the main long-distance pathway that causes the spread of these organisms and disease outbreaks worldwide. Most inspections for disease symptoms are conducted visually, but this is insufficient given the large number of [...] Read more.
Phytopathogens threaten natural ecosystems and global food security. Horticultural trade is the main long-distance pathway that causes the spread of these organisms and disease outbreaks worldwide. Most inspections for disease symptoms are conducted visually, but this is insufficient given the large number of plants and the prevalence of asymptomatic infections. Therefore, there is increasing interest in the use of high-throughput sequencing (HTS) and environmental DNA (eDNA) for plant health surveillance. Many studies have used these technologies to detect phytopathogens, but fewer have done so in horticultural settings. Furthermore, much work has focused on the molecular and bioinformatic approaches for this work, with relatively little attention given to sample collection. This systematic review therefore provides an overview of the available sampling methods and their target plant pathogens, with a particular focus on the utility of these sampling methods in horticultural nurseries. It highlights some striking gaps in the literature and opportunities for further research: for example, the detection of bacterial phytopathogens using eDNA has received little attention despite having considerable potential as a surveillance and/or diagnostic tool. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Technologies and Integrated Approaches for Horticultural Plant Disease Management)
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Other

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9 pages, 816 KB  
Brief Report
Weather Conditions Associated with Citrus Canker Incidence Caused by AW Strain in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of South Texas
by Amit Sharma, Teresa Patricia Feria Arroyo, George Yanev and Madhurababu Kunta
Horticulturae 2026, 12(2), 143; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12020143 - 27 Jan 2026
Viewed by 744
Abstract
Citrus canker, caused by bacterium Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri (Xcc), affects the citrus industry by making the fruit unmarketable due to unsightly lesions on the fruit. Citrus canker caused by a relatively new AWstrain of Xcc was reported on the citrus [...] Read more.
Citrus canker, caused by bacterium Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri (Xcc), affects the citrus industry by making the fruit unmarketable due to unsightly lesions on the fruit. Citrus canker caused by a relatively new AWstrain of Xcc was reported on the citrus trees in the residential areas of the Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV) of South Texas. Xcc AW has a limited host range, predominantly affecting limes and a few other citrus species. Previous work has reported prevailing environmental conditions that influence the incidence and spread of the citrus canker caused by the Asiatic A strain. However, no information is available on the environmental factors impacting the incidence of canker caused by AW strain. In this study, monthly data on temperature, humidity, rainfall, and wind speed were grouped into biologically meaningful categories, and corresponding disease incidence was examined descriptively. Disease incidence was highest under high temperatures, humid conditions, and particularly during periods of rainfall and high wind speeds, which likely facilitated bacterial dispersal. These observed patterns indicate that warm, humid, rainy conditions, and stronger winds are associated with increased citrus canker incidence in the LRGV. This study provides insights into environmental conditions conducive to disease incidence and may serve as a foundation for developing explanatory and predictive models leading to management strategies for protecting citrus production in South Texas. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Technologies and Integrated Approaches for Horticultural Plant Disease Management)
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