Leaf curl is one of the most important fungal diseases of peach. The disease has been particularly pronounced in recent years in Greece, causing extensive damage characterized by hyperplasia of the host organs. In addition to its economic significance, this pathosystem is a promising system of study of the induced defense reactions of tree crops against pathogenic fungi. The ExoPeach2Ηealth proposal aims to implement new plant protection approaches to improve the quality of peach products by developing a holistic approach towards early diagnosis, disease control and knowledge of the pathogenesis of the causal agents of leaf curl disease in the main peach crop area in Greece. The use of innovative -omics technologies to optimize the integrated management of the disease is an important approach of ExoPeach2Ηealth. The outputs of the project will undoubtedly fill the overall coverage of a major gap in the study of leaf curl disease in our country. The study of pathogenic agents in order to optimize integrated disease management practices will increase the employment and the income of farmers, leading to the production of a superior product capable of exporting.
