 Advanced disease detection and prevention methods are crucial in minimizing crop damage and maximizing productivity in agriculture. Direct detection techniques include laboratory-based methods such as PCR, IF, FISH, ELISA, FCM and GCMS, while indirect methods involve thermography, fluorescence imaging and hyperspectral techniques. Biosensors based on highly selective biorecognition elements are also a new tool for early identification of crop diseases. This article was authored by E. Fong and Ramaraja K. Ramasamy.