New evidence on advanced techniques for the early detection of plant diseases on solanum lycopersicum and capsicum annuum

Every year agricultural production is affected by losses that can reach 20-40% of the global harvest due to plant diseases. Reliable and early detection is crucial to minimise economic and field losses. To identify pre-visual or emerging symptoms enable acting earlier with protection treatments or by targeted removing infected plants to prevent the spread of disease. The most widely used detection methods are lab-based assays. Detection of DNA or RNA is reliable and accurate, but also expensive, time-consuming, and destructive. Optical sensing techniques have the potential to alleviate these problems. The aim of this project is to validate a method for the early detection of specific pathogens including TMV WT, TMV gfpmarked, Pseudomonas syringae, on Solanum lycopersicum and Capsicum annuum. Classical lab-methods including DNA/RNA extraction and the evaluation of pathogen concentration and distribution with qPCR were supplemented by the use of hyperspectral imaging, and non-destructive optical estimation of leaf pigments and measurements of chlorophyll fluorescence-related parameters. In addition, the expression of specific infection-related genes over time was evaluated and some tests with resistance inducers were also carried out to evaluate the plant's response against pathogens. These preliminary results show how the use of advanced sensor solutions has potential to increase the sustainability of cropmanagement systems and ensure plant health protection and food safety.