The symposium brought together approximately 100 researchers, industry representatives, and plant health specialists from across the globe to discuss the latest advances in postharvest disease management, storage technologies, and sustainable crop protection approaches.
As part of Session 7: Sensors and Fungal Pathogens, Andrea Ficke was a keynote speaker with the talk "Sensor technology to detect, monitor and manage pathogens during transport and storage."
The session focused on emerging sensor technologies and innovative monitoring systems for disease detection during storage and transport. During her keynote, Andrea Ficke highlighted how the PurPest concept — originally developed for technology-guided monitoring and site-specific pest management in agricultural systems — also has strong potential for postharvest applications, particularly in the detection and management of diseases throughout storage and transport chains.
The conference emphasized the importance of integrating plant pathology, storage technology, and digital innovation to improve crop protection across the entire supply chain, from field to storage and distribution. The discussions also reinforced the growing relevance of sensor-based solutions and precision monitoring technologies in supporting sustainable plant health management.
