Outlook—Challenges and Perspectives for Management of Diseases Caused by Pectobacterium and Dickeya Species

The soft rot Pectobacteriaceae (SRP) cause diseases of significant economic impact on a wide range of crop and ornamental plants. By their nature these pathogens have a broad host range, a wide climatic tolerance and can be found in a variety of environmental niches (with knowledge of the latter likely to expand greatly in the coming years). While these pathogens can be devastating, they can also be very subtle, living on the surface of plants as part of their normal life cycle or remaining dormant within plants in a latent state until suitable environmental conditions trigger disease development. This can make control difficult and finding ways to control these diseases has been a major challenge. However, new methods are on the horizon in the form of greatly improved diagnostics, biocontrol and other integrated pest management (IPM) methods and the development of new resistant varieties through the use of exciting new technologies. This chapter summarises the major characteristics of SRP and looks to the future and their ultimate control.