Call for papers/Topics

Topics of interest for submission include any topics related to:

I. Sustainable Agricultural Systems & Practices

• Agroecology and Regenerative Agriculture:
  • Principles and practices of agroecology
  • Soil health and fertility management (e.g., cover cropping, no-till, organic matter enhancement)
  • Biodiversity in agricultural landscapes (e.g., beneficial insects, wildlife corridors)
  • Carbon sequestration in agricultural systems
  • Circular bioeconomy in agro-farming
  • Nature-based solutions in agriculture
• Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation:
  • Climate-smart agriculture techniques
  • Drought-resistant crop varieties and water-efficient irrigation
  • Climate-adaptive livestock management
  • Impacts of climate change on plant health and pest dynamics
  • Resilient livelihood strategies for farmers
  • Early warning systems for weather and pests
• Sustainable Resource Management:
  • Sustainable soil and water management
  • Water quality management in agricultural runoff
  • Nutrient cycling and efficient fertilizer use
  • Renewable energy integration on farms
  • Waste management and valorization in agriculture
• Crop and Livestock Production Systems:
  • Crop rotation and diversification
  • Precision agriculture (sensors, robotics, AI)
  • Vertical farming, hydroponics, and aquaponics
  • Horticulture and protected cultivation
  • Sustainable livestock grazing management
  • Integration of crop and livestock systems
• Socio-economic Aspects of Sustainable Agriculture:
  • Food security and food systems
  • Rural development and community engagement
  • Economic viability of sustainable practices
  • Policy and regulatory frameworks for sustainable agriculture
  • Farmer education and extension services
  • Marketing and supply chain for sustainable products
  • Integrating traditional ecological knowledge

II. Plant Protection Strategies & Innovations

• Integrated Pest Management (IPM):
  • Principles and implementation of IPM
  • Monitoring and forecasting of pests and diseases
  • Decision-making tools for pest management
  • Cultural practices for pest control
  • Biological control (biopesticides, beneficial organisms, macrobials, microbials)
  • Host plant resistance and breeding for disease/pest resistance
  • Chemical control (responsible use, reduced-risk pesticides, resistance management)
• Pest and Disease Diagnostics & Monitoring:
  • Advanced diagnostic tools for pathogens and pests
  • Molecular mechanisms of plant-microbe interactions
  • Remote sensing for crop disease surveillance
  • AI-based pest and disease detection
  • Population genetics of pests and pathogens
• Specific Pest Groups:
  • Insect pest management (e.g., migratory pests, biosecurity)
  • Plant diseases (fungal, bacterial, viral, phytoplasma, nematodes, abiotic diseases)
  • Weeds and their management (e.g., alien invasive weeds, weedicide resistance)
  • Post-harvest pests and diseases
  • Invasive and emerging pests under changing climate
• Biotechnology and Advanced Technologies in Plant Protection:
  • Genomics and gene editing for plant protection
  • Endophytes and plant protection
  • Bio-based compounds and plant immunity
  • Nanotechnology in plant protection
  • Drone and robotics for pest management
  • Digital tools and ICT in plant protection
• Phytosanitary Measures and Global Trade:
  • Quarantine procedures and control of transboundary pests
  • International phytosanitary standards
  • Risk assessment for invasive pests
  • Impact of safe trade on plant health
• Environmental Impact of Plant Protection:
  • Ecotoxicology and toxicology of pesticides
  • Impact of agrochemicals on soil and water health
  • Reducing the ecological footprint of plant protection
  • Pollinator protection and biodiversity conservation

III. Cross-Cutting Themes

• One Health Approach: Recognizing the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health in plant protection.
• Policy and Regulation:
  • Implementation of national and international strategies (e.g., EU Farm to Fork Strategy)
  • Pesticide regulation and risk assessment
  • Incentives for sustainable farming practices
• Research and Development:
  • Funding and collaborations in plant protection and sustainable agriculture research
  • Translational research from lab to farm
  • Technology transfer and innovation adoption
• Education and Capacity Building:
  • Training programs for farmers, researchers, and extension workers
  • Public awareness and engagement on sustainable agriculture and plant health