According to UN research published in 2019, the world will need 50% more food by 2050 and 70% of all fresh water will be dedicated to agriculture. Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) provides a solution to such global agricultural issues as water scarcity, arable land loss, population growth, energy efficiency, global warming, and food waste. CEA also provides a solution for reduced, or elimination, of chemicals and helps foster the rapid expansion of the rapidly growing “locally-grown” market that is fueled by consumer demand.

Despite better controlled ventilation and irrigation in CEA systems, disease and chemical damage can result between 5% to total losses of crops for CEA growers annually.

For the first time ever in the CEA market, the cleanest possible air environment with unmitigated control is upon us with the eradication of mold, mildew, pathogens and enriching the plant environment with abundant CO2.

“As agriculture struggles to support the rapidly growing global population, plant disease reduces the production and quality of food, fibre and biofuel crops. Losses may be catastrophic or chronic, but on average account for 42% of the production of the six most important food crops. Losses due to postharvest disease can be disastrous, especially when farms are a long way from markets and infrastructure and supply chain practices are poor. Many postharvest pathogens also produce toxins that create serious health problems for consumers.

Farmers spend billions of dollars are on disease management, often without adequate technical support, resulting in poor disease control, pollution and harmful results. In addition, plant disease can devastate natural ecosystems, compounding environmental problems caused by habitat loss and poor land management.

Crop losses tend to be greatest in tropical countries where environmental conditions are particularly favourable, incomes are low and knowledge and investments in crop health management are minimal. Disease losses can mean that communities become dependent on imported foods, often replacing a balanced diet with processed foods that create further health problems.

Plant breeders have very successfully increased potential crop yields, however the impacts of crop breeding for resource-poor farmers have been disappointing. Much greater emphasis is required to address reasons for the gap between potential and actual yields achieved by farmers, and research that is focused on narrowing this gap.

This issue is focused on research aimed at improving food security by reducing crop losses, particularly for low-income farmers. Manuscripts are invited that describe research into improving food security by reducing yield losses. Such research may include plant pathology, agronomy, entomology, weed science, farm management, improving resilience to abiotic constraints, postharvest handling, food safety, improved market access, the role of biotechnology, technology transfer, extension, education, policy and any other related topics.”

Prof. Dr. David Guest, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney Australia

“Plant diseases in a typical greenhouse may cost as much as 15 per cent of potential income. Serious pest damage can take another 10 per cent from your bottom line.”

Rod Turner, General Manger, Risk Management at Plant Health Australia