Smart Nutrient Management for Pest and Disease Control in Tropical Fruit Crops: A Literature Review for Practitioners
Vinesh Prasad
*
Central Queensland University, Australia and NGO Canopy and Culture, Australia.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Smart nutrient management is emerging as a cornerstone of integrated pest and disease control in tropical fruit crops such as papaya and banana. This review aims to explore how nutrient imbalances, particularly excessive nitrogen, influence pest outbreaks and plant resilience. Drawing on Mulder’s chart (Martín-Cardoso & San Segundo, 2025) of nutrient interactions, we examine the antagonistic effects of surplus nitrates on potassium uptake. The paper synthesizes data from recent studies and field-based insights, highlighting smart pest control strategies including real-time nutrient diagnostics and intelligent monitoring systems. These approaches offer practical tools for growers in northern Australia and support sustainable farming practices. The role of AI technologies in shaping future pest management is also discussed.
Keywords: Smart nutrient management, Integrated Pest Management (IPM), nutrient-pest interactions, environmental sustainability, pest resistance, smart pest control, deep learning