European agriculture, horticulture, and forestry face mounting pressure from invasive pests and pathogens, including Phytophthora ramorum, the pinewood nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus), and insect threats such as the fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda), cotton bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera), and brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys). These organisms threaten crop yields, forest health, and ecosystem stability across the continent.
Global trade networks facilitate the movement of plants and plant products and increase the risk of unintentional pest and pathogen introductions across Europe. Phytosanitary inspections are often conducted under time and resource constraints and may fail to detect infestations, particularly when infections remain latent or asymptomatic. Plant health practitioners across Europe have therefore emphasized the need for faster and more accessible diagnostic tools to support early detection and on-site decision-making.
The PurPest project addresses this challenge by developing Volatile Organic Compound (VOC)-based “e-nose” technologies for the early detection of pests and pathogens. These technologies could support rapid, non-destructive screening in, e.g., nurseries and border control points across Europe.
The webinar will provide an overview of the PurPest target pests and pathogens, and the work conducted within the project, including VOC sensor development and socioeconomic implications.
