Pioneering Plant Health: Biosensors for Early and Advanced Pathogen Detection

Abstract

Plant diseases significantly threaten global food security, leading to 40% annual crop losses and an estimated $220 billion in financial damages. Traditional methods for detecting plant diseases such as symptomatology, microscopy, and molecular diagnostics such as polymerase chain reaction(PCR) and ,enzyme linked immuno sorbant assay (ELISA) are often time-consuming, labour-intensive, and difficult to scale. However, advanced technologies, particularly biosensors, have emerged as precise, efficient, and rapid tools for pathogen detection  at the time of its initial appearance or even before it causes a significant damage to the crop as they combine biological recognition elements (such as DNA, antibodies, or enzymes) with transducers to produce measurable signals upon interaction with target analytes. This review categorizes biosensors based on their bio-recognition elements and transducer mechanisms, focusing on key types such as electrochemical, optical, piezoelectric, and nucleic acid-based sensors. It explores specific advancements like DNA-based biosensors for molecular-level detection and antibody-based sensors for antigen specificity. Additionally, emerging technologies such as electronic noses, which detect volatile organic compounds, and phage-based biosensors, known for their high sensitivity and specificity, highlight the extensive range of biosensing applications in plant pathology. Innovations in wireless sensing and real-time data capture promise to transform bio-sensing into a cornerstone of Integrated Disease Management (IDM) systems. These advancements can reduce agrochemical usage and improve crop sustainability. Hence, biosensors represent a pivotal technology for addressing the growing challenges of global agriculture.