Pressures on food production systems to become more efficient and have smaller environmental footprints are increasing.  Global climate change as well as increased globalisation – the rapid movement of plants and plant products across borders and across continents – are increasing the risk of spread of non-indigenous pests and diseases and their establishment in the changed environments.  Therefore, techniques to rapidly detect and monitor pest and disease incidence and the development of effective pest and disease control methods are essential to meet these future challenges.

Pests, diseases and weeds are still a major constraint on crop production despite progress in crop protection measures and the development of host resistance. Estimates of potential losses worldwide for the top six crops vary from 25-80% (40% for potato) (Oerke, 2006, Crop losses to pests. J Ag Sci 144, 31). Some pests and diseases can be controlled by the application of agrochemicals and careful crop management practices including deploying resistant cultivars. However, for many diseases resistance breaking strains quickly emerge to overcome plant defences and some cannot be adequately controlled by agrochemicals, or need continuous applications of agrochemicals during the growing season.

Plant pathology research provides underpinning knowledge to support sustainable agricultural production systems. We aim to understand the mechanisms of plant resistance and susceptibility using molecular, cellular and whole plant techniques, and to discover how parasites evolve to overcome plant defences. Advances in genome sequencing (pathogen and plant) combined with bioinformatics analyses and functional genomics techniques are being exploited to accelerate the discovery and characterisation of novel genes and processes. New genetic markers are being developed to identify particular genotypes in pathogen populations and to understand how they change in relation to plant genotype and environment. Our strategic science is used to inform plant health policy within the Scottish Government and is translated into practical crop protection solutions, for example, through collaborations with colleagues in Genetics to identify resistant germplasm and with external agencies and industry to detect and monitor pests and pathogens and to develop sustainable control methods.

Programme scientists work in teams within the three major themes below, the Cell Biology and Imaging Unit is housed within the programme and a new theme, Environmental Pathology, has been initiated to investigate interactions between pathogens, plants and other microbial communities in managed ecosystems.  The PP research environment is stimulating and dynamic we employ international researchers and graduate students.  We welcome requests from holders of research fellowships to host their research projects or help to develop such projects. Please contact Lesley Torrance or the relevant Research Leader.

News and highlights

Read the latest news from the Plant Pathology programme.

Major research themes

Plant–Pathogen Interactions

Pathogen Genomics

Pest and Disease Management