Advances in Soil-borne Disease Etiology and Control

Soil-borne diseases pose a major constraint to crop production globally and are associated with significant economic losses. Their stealthy pathogens remain hidden in infected soils for years until susceptible host is planted. These diseases and their pathogens are challenging to manage particularly in less diverse rotations and new approaches are needed for crop protection against them. This conference will bring together the best academic and commercial research in the areas of genetic resistance/tolerance, cultural practices, appropriate seed treatments and methods for detection and prediction of disease in field soil. Areas of further interest include soil biology and microbe interactions in the plant rhizosphere and the influence of the environment on disease etiology and control.