CONFRONTED with the need of increasing global food production – farmers are constantly challenged with altering conditions and emergent soil-borne pathogens brought on by human-induced climate change.
Recent data estimate that 40 percent of food crops are lost to plant pests and diseases every year, largely impacting both global food security and the livelihood of smallholder farmers.
Although chemical pesticides and fertilisers have helped farmers to keep up with the growing food demand, their toxic residues are taxing the environment and our health.
Dr Adeline Ting from the School of Science at Monash University Malaysia is now looking for eco-friendly solutions in her laboratory to deal with pesticide pollution.
“There is a pressing need for sustainable and environmentally-friendly solutions for crop disease management,” the microbiologist told The Petri Dish.
