ABSTRACT
Diverse strategies implemented in an integrated manner can reduce crop losses due to plant disease. These include cultural practices (e.g., crop rotation, sanitation, planting of pathogen-free seed, maintenance of adequate soil fertility, structure and water relations; see Chapter 11), application of pesticides (see Chapter 13), and the use of crop varieties able to resist pathogens. The latter strategy offers several advantages to growers, including the possibility of maintaining or increasing crop yields while permitting reductions in pesticide use leading to environmental, social, and economic benefits.
