Like most recent EFPP (e.g. Wageningen, The Netherlands in 2012, and Cracovie, Poland in 2014) and SFP (Paris, France in 2012, and Colmar, France in 2015) meetings, this conference will provide a valued opportunity to present the latest advances in all fields of Phytopathology: pathogen detection, mechanisms of plant–pathogen–vector interactions, population biology of pathogenic or symbiotic microorganisms, plant defense reactions and resistance, epidemiology and innovative plant protection strategies.  Its scope includes both advanced scientific questions in biology and ecology, and major societal issues questioning Phytopathology today, i.e. a competitive, innovative and environment-friendly agriculture (Cf. National Action Plans, e .g. Ecophyto Plan in France) and on a deeper knowledge on plant diseases and plant resistance.

The congress will gather French, European and American communities of phytopathologists, which include public research and education organizations (INRA, CIRAD, CNRS, IRD, Agronomy Elite Schools and Universities) and non-academic structures (technical and technology transfer institutes, phytopharmaceutical companies, interprofessional committees).  Thematic plenary sessions, enriched with keynote talks given by internationally renowned guests, will present an updated state of knowledge in these fields, aiming at proposing new research avenues and contributing to the diffusion of knowledge and the elaboration of know-how necessary to develop innovative crop protection methods.  Moreover, debates and informal meetings among participants will help to create or reinforce synergies between research groups.

Originality of this conference will also consist of:

  1. Round tables devoted to Plant Pathology teaching in the current context and emerging high technologies in Plant Pathology;
  2. A joint session about the phytobiome that is co-organized with the APS (American Phytopathological Society);
  3. A focus on the INTERREG V SMARTBIOCONTROL European platform of research and development of tools for biocontrol of phytopathogens.