Crop Diseases and Control

Potential losses of major world crops to pests, diseases and weeds have been estimated at approximately 70%. However, the actual losses are approximately 30% due to efficient crop protection practices. The increase in human population density and the subsequent demand for meat are predicted to cause crop production to double in the next four or five decades. To achieve this objective, an improvement or at least maintenance of crop protection efficacy against agricultural pests, diseases and weeds is critical. The impressive progress in crop protection achieved in the past has, for a large part, relied on the use of synthetic pesticides.