Special Issue “Sustainable Control Strategies of Plant Pathogens in Horticulture”

European Regulation No. 1107/2009 recommends the adoption of alternatives to synthetic products among plant protection products, thereby repealing Council Directives 79/117/EEC and 91/414/EEC. This recommendation is driven by the potential adverse effects of synthetic products on the environment, as well as on human and animal health. Furthermore, the European “Green Deal” has introduced various initiatives that aim to facilitate a green transition to counteract climate change and safeguard the environment. One of the key objectives outlined in the “Green Deal” is to substantially reduce the use of chemical pesticides in agriculture by 2030 to reduce the associated risks and to address potential challenges in the management of plant pathogens. This strategy also outlines a set of measures to be achieved by 2030, including the promotion of 25% of organic agriculture. This ambitious target highlights the need for innovative research to identify alternative solutions to chemical pesticides. Over the past ten years, most of the research has focused on the use of beneficial microorganisms such as fungi and bacteria, natural substances, resistant varieties, RNAi gene silencing that targets specific pathogens and organic cultivation systems. The Special Issue on “Sustainable Control Strategies of Plant Pathogens in Horticulture” features research articles and two reviews. These contributions present potential alternatives to synthetic pesticides, showing innovative results related to the use of natural substances, beneficial microorganisms and resistant varieties in the management of several pathogens affecting plants.