Summary
This review synthesises 50 years of research on induced resistance (IR) as a crop protection strategy, examining how biological and chemical inducers can trigger plant immune responses to resist pathogen attack. Whilst IR has demonstrated effectiveness in controlled environments, field efficacy has often fallen short of conventional synthetic pesticides; however, regulatory pressure to reduce chemical inputs is driving renewed interest in IR as part of integrated crop management. The authors discuss optimisation strategies, including the development of more effective inducers and their rational integration with conventional and cultural controls to maintain efficacy whilst reducing chemical dependency.
UK applicability
Findings are likely applicable to UK cropping systems given the UK's alignment with EU legislation restricting synthetic pesticide use and the need for sustainable alternatives in arable production. The review's emphasis on integrated approaches combining IR with fungicides and cultural controls aligns with UK regulatory direction and the priorities of defra's sustainable farming initiative.
Key measures
Disease control efficacy; protection level relative to synthetic pesticides; integration strategies with fungicides, bactericides, and biological control options; effectiveness of different inducers across cropping systems
Outcomes reported
The review evaluates the effectiveness of induced resistance (IR) inducers—biological and chemical agents that artificially trigger plant defence responses—for disease control across selected cropping systems. It reports on the comparative efficacy of IR versus synthetic pesticides in laboratory, glasshouse, and field conditions, and assesses opportunities for integrating IR with conventional and cultural control options.
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