IPM Decisions - farmers and advisors priority pathogens and invertebrate pests for IPM

This dataset contains the priority invertebrate pests and plant diseases identified by members of the multi-actor IPM Decisions Network established during the Horizon 2020 project IPM Decisions: Stepping-up IPM decision support for crop protection (Grant Agreement No. 817617). The project aimed to increase the uptake and impact of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) decision support systems (DSS) across Europe through the development of a pan-European platform, associated resources, and a network of farmers, advisers, researchers, industry representatives, and other stakeholders. As part of the network activities reported through Work Package 6 dissemination and engagement activities, participants from 10 European countries (UK, the Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Sweden, Lithuania, Slovenia, Finland, and Norway) were asked, between 2019 and 2022, to identify up to ten most important crop pests and diseases within their national context for which decision support systems were considered particularly relevant and potentially useful for management decisions. The resulting dataset compiles these priorities and provides information on the affectedcrop species, pest or pathogen scientific name, common name (in each language), and whether the organism was identified as a priority for improved decision support. The dataset was used to help guide project activities, including the prioritisation of decision support systems, demonstration activities, stakeholder engagement, and communication materials across Europe. The dataset provides a snapshot of stakeholder-identified crop protection priorities during the lifetime of the IPM Decisions project and may be valuable for researchers, policymakers, extension services, and developers of IPM decision support tools seeking to understand major pest and disease challenges across European cropping systems. Across the countries participating in the IPM Decisions network survey, potato late blight (Phytophthora infestans) was the most frequently identified priority pest or disease, followed by yellow rust (Puccinia striiformis). Wheat diseases dominated the European ranking, with septoria leaf blotch, fusarium head blight and tan spot all featuring prominently. Important priorities were also identified in oilseed rape (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Meligethes aeneus), apple (Cydia pomonella, Venturia inaequalis), and onion (Peronospora destructor). Limitations and appropriate use of the dataset: This dataset represents a stakeholder-informed compilation of priority pests and diseases identified during activities of the IPM Decisions Network. The lists were developed through discussions with network participants and stakeholders across Europe and were not generated through a formal, standardised prioritisation methodology. As a result, the data should be considered indicative rather than definitive. The dataset is not intended to provide an exhaustive inventory of crop pests, pathogens, crops, production systems, or crop protection priorities within any country or region. Coverage varies according to stakeholder participation, project focus areas, and the crop sectors represented within the network. The exercise focused specifically on diseases and invertebrate pests for which DSS tools were considered relevant and useful within the scope of the project and therefore does not cover weeds, slugs, nematodes, or invasive species. Project activities focused on arable and outdoor horticultural crops, and did not cover protected or ornamental crops, or grassland. The omission of any pest, pathogen, crop, cropping system, or other organism group should not be interpreted as evidence of low importance, low risk, low economic impact, or low management priority. Rather, the dataset reflects the expert opinions and perspectives contributed during the project and is best used as a snapshot of perceived priorities for DSS-supported IPM within the IPM Decisions network at the time of data collection.