Plant diseases and infections are a major factor in global crop failure, causing billions of dollars in economic loss each year and a significant impact on food security. Effective detection of plant pathogens is crucial to monitor crop and ecosystem health, and to determine best practices for remediation strategies. Molecular diagnostic methods utilizing genetic material from the plant and pathogen provide a powerful tool for identifying diseases. It allows for fast and accurate detection of pathogens, often before visual cues of infection can be identified. In this webinar, we will focus on nucleic acid (DNA and RNA)-based detection methods for plant pathogens, including key considerations in the testing workflow and how to overcome common laboratory challenges.