Molecular detection in integrated pest and disease management.

The basic principles of detection applied to IPM of plant pests and diseases are described, including immunodetection, monoclonal antibodies, DNA-based detection procedures and molecular fluorescent probes. Applications in disease and pest management are revised, in reference to field detection of plant pathogens, detection in vectors and pathogens identification from soil through DNA extraction and identification. The role of detection in quarantine of invasive species, pests and diseases epidemiology and identification of biological antagonists, including parasitoids and biological control agents, is revised. Finally, the application of molecular markers in IPM strategies based on plant resistance is discussed.