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Review article2021Peer reviewed

Current practices and emerging possibilities for reducing the spread of oomycete pathogens in terrestrial and aquatic production systems in the European Union

Benavent-Celma, Clara; López-García, Noelia; Ruba, Tahmina; Ściślak, Magdalena E.; Street-Jones, David; van West, Pieter; Woodward, Stephen; Witzell, Johanna

Abstract

Diseases caused by oomycete pathogens are a global threat to forestry, agriculture and aquaculture. Because of their complex life cycles, characterised by dormant resting structures that enable their survival for years under hostile environmental conditions, reducing the spread of oomycetes is a challenging task. In this review, we present an overview of this challenge, starting from the need to understand the natural and anthropogenic dispersal pathways of these pathogens. Focusing on the European Union, we explore current legislation that forms a backbone for biosecurity protocols against the spread of oomycetes through trade and transport. We discuss the options for prevention, containment and long-term management of oomycetes in different production settings, emphasising the importance of prevention as the most cost-efficient strategy to reduce the spread of these pathogens. Finally, we highlight some of the new and emerging technologies and strategies as potential tools in the integrated pest management of animal and plant diseases caused by oomycetes. We emphasise the urgency of actions to halt the global spread of these pathogens.

Keywords

EU legislation and policies; Fish trade; Management practices; Oomycete dispersal pathways; Plant trade

Published in

Fungal Biology Reviews
2021, Volume: 14, pages: 19-36

      SLU Authors

      • Associated SLU-program

      SLU Plant Protection Network
      SLU Forest Damage Center

      Sustainable Development Goals

      SDG2 End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture

      UKÄ Subject classification

      Forest Science
      Fish and Aquacultural Science
      Agricultural Science

      Publication identifier

      DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fbr.2021.10.001

      Permanent link to this page (URI)

      https://res.slu.se/id/publ/114613