Sentinel plants: A tool for early detection of invasive alien pests and pathogens in India

India, as a biodiversity hotspot, faces significant threats from invasive alien species, impacting ecosystems, agriculture, and economic stability. With a rich yet vulnerable flora and fauna, the introduction of non-native species presents risks that are intensified by globalization and climate change. Increased trade and travel facilitate the accidental introduction of invasive species, such as Parthenium hysterophorus (Carrot grass) and Lantana camara, which spread aggressively due to human-mediated dispersal. Additionally, climate change alters temperature and precipitation patterns, enabling species like Tuta absoluta (tomato leaf miner) to expand their range and establish in previously unsuitable regions. The movement of people and goods across borders significantly contributes to biological invasions, introducing non-native species that can adapt, thrive, and disrupt ecosystems. This poses a major challenge to global biodiversity, economies, and human well-being. The sentinel plant concept emerges as an innovative biosecurity strategy for early detection and risk assessment of invasive pests and pathogens. Sentinel plants, cultivated in foreign environments, expose potential threats to native ecosystems, enabling the development of proactive management and prevention strategies. Leveraging the diverse collections of India’s botanical gardens, sentinel arboreta can provide critical insights into host–pathogen dynamics, bolster pest risk analysis, and strengthen global collaboration. However, challenges such as resource intensity, delayed detection, and environmental variability require standardization and robust frameworks. The sentinel plant concept holds immense potential to safeguard India’s biodiversity and agriculture by facilitating early warnings and enabling cost-effective solutions to biological invasions.