The prevalence of plant diseases has significantly expanded as a result of human activities. Currently, the presence of pathogens in food results in a decrease in crop productivity, compromised product quality, diminished economic worth, and reduced financial gains. Therefore, the focus in plant pathology has shifted towards the importance of early detection and the development of diagnostic methods that are fast, accurate, and cost-effective. This emphasis is particularly relevant for emerging diseases or challenging infections that are transmitted by asymptomatic individuals exhibiting minor first signs, making them difficult to effectively manage. The utilization of cutting-edge tools designed for field usage is emerging as a crucial area of focus for diagnostic laboratories operating in a globalized market that is highly responsive to epidemics. This emphasis on developing instruments and methods that are suitable for operational conditions aims to ensure their effectiveness and practicality. The inclusion of portable systems and Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity plays a vital role in the overall design of this architecture. In this paper, we examine diagnostic approaches in agriculture that are based on nanotechnology, as well as explore emerging perspectives on the utilization of information and communication technology (ICT) in the agricultural sector. These advancements have the potential to enhance agricultural and rural development, while also revolutionizing the approach to combating phytopathogens through proactive measures.

Diseases, early detection, pathogens and nanotechnology

The examination of current plant disease detection technologies and the exploration of novel ways for symptom identification and pathogen prevention have been undertaken. In addition, we conducted an examination of advancements in sensor technology, microfluidics, wearable sensing devices, and Internet of Things (IoT) advances. The integration of bio-sensing platforms with electronic readers embedded into smartphones is creating new opportunities (Zarei et al., 2017). The integration of flexible sensors that resemble human skin with wireless communication technologies to enable real-time monitoring of plants is a concept that elicits interest. In contrast, the utilization of sensing and robotics technologies has the potential to develop novel analysis platforms known as "lab-on-a-drone." These platforms provide swift in-flight assays while being connected to smartphones, hence eliminating the need for sample collection and analysis time. Furthermore, they have the capability to support emergency response efforts, agricultural bio-surveillance, and veterinary field care. The utilization of a quadcopter drone designed for consumer use, equipped with smartphone connectivity, for the purpose of conducting nucleic acid tests in field settings. In a study conducted by Priye et al. (2016), Staphylococcus aureus and phage DNA targets were rapidly transported by flight within a time frame of less than 20 minutes. Smartphone technology has the potential to enhance the precision, intelligence, and portability of diagnostic systems (Mendes et al., 2020; Pongnumkul et al., 2015), hence facilitating global collaboration between farmers and institutions in combating plant diseases through the utilization of high-resolution imagery and advanced computational capabilities. These many technologies have the capability to interact with one another, thereby offering novel avenues for effectively and intuitively combating plant diseases and preventing their dissemination.

Prashanth Kumar A. (2023). Innovative Plant Disease Monitoring Technologies. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(9): 649-659.