Emerging Plant Diseases and Their Threat to Global Food Security

Abstract Emerging plant diseases (EPDs) represent a significant and escalating threat to global food security, agricultural economies, and ecosystem stability. Defined as diseases that are newly recognized, rapidly increasing in incidence, geographic range, or pathogenicity, EPDs are driven by a confluence of anthropogenic factors including globalized trade, climate change, agricultural intensification, and pathogen evolution. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the etiology, drivers, and impacts of major recent EPDs across staple and cash crops. We analyze case studies of high-impact outbreaks, such as wheat blast and banana Fusarium wilt Tropical Race 4 (TR4), to illustrate the multidimensional threats posed. The review underscores the inadequacy of current phytosanitary and breeding systems to respond at the pace required, highlighting critical gaps in surveillance, diagnostics, and international cooperation. We argue that mitigating the threat of EPDs requires a paradigm shift towards proactive, systems-based approaches integrating advanced surveillance technologies, genomic epidemiology, resilient agroecosystem design, and robust global governance frameworks. Keywords: Emerging plant diseases; Global food security; Climate change; Pathogen evolution; Wheat blast; Fusarium wilt Tropical Race 4 (TR4); Plant disease surveillance; Genomic epidemiology; Sustainable agroecosystems; Phytosanitary systems.