Essential Oils for Sustainable Plant Disease Control and Crop Protection
A special issue of Plants (ISSN 2223-7747). This special issue belongs to the section "Phytochemistry".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 March 2026 | Viewed by 22
Special Issue Editor
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Challenges in managing important crops pose a significant threat to global food security. The growing demand for sustainable and safe agricultural practices has driven the search for innovative alternatives for large-scale plant disease and pest management. Given the issues arising from the extensive use of synthetic pesticides, which include adverse environmental impacts and food contamination, plant-derived compounds such as essential oils (EOs) emerge as a promising solution for biorational control. These complex secondary metabolites, extracted from various plant parts, exhibit antifungal, insecticidal, and resistance-inducing properties.
This Special Issue encourages submissions exploring the vast potential of essential oils in developing effective and environmentally friendly strategies for crop protection. It aims to compile cutting-edge research addressing the identification, characterization, and application of EOs in agriculture. We seek studies that identify and characterize novel sources and bioactive components; investigate formulations, standardization, and optimized application strategies; and determine the mechanisms of action, including plant resistance induction, biostimulation, the impact on plant physiology (through the induction of defense mechanisms and triggered biochemical activities), and direct action against phytopathogens and insect pests. We also encourage studies investigating the impact of mechanisms of action on beneficial organisms, including pollinators and soil microorganisms, aiming to ensure selectivity and a minimal ecological footprint. Furthermore, in silico studies revealing molecular interactions and research focused on overcoming the challenges associated with the large-scale adoption of EO-based products are highly encouraged. Together, these factors delineate the comprehensive scope of this Special Issue.
We invite researchers to contribute their latest findings, reinforcing the role of essential oils as a viable and sustainable alternative for plant protection, thereby promoting crop health and agricultural sustainability.
Dr. Gil Santos
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- biorational control
- botanical pesticides
- integrated pest management
- plant resistance induction
- sustainable agricultural practices
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