Advanced technologies for precision tree fruit disease management: A review

•Review of UAVs, UGVs, and sensors in precision tree fruit disease management.•Machine learning for disease detection, monitoring, and predictive modeling.•Mimicking human systems for comprehensive disease management strategies.•Identifies data quality and computational challenges in disease management.•Predictive models using historical, weather, and GIS data for proactive management. Effective disease management in tree fruit cultivation is essential for ensuring crop health, improving yield, and minimizing economic losses. In recent years, the adoption of advanced technologies has revolutionized the approach to managing tree fruit diseases. This review explores the integration of precision agriculture tools, such as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs), and various sensor technologies, alongside sophisticated machine learning algorithms and predictive models. The effectiveness of these technologies in disease scouting, monitoring, detection, and prediction is evaluated, emphasizing their potential to enhance crop health, reduce economic losses, and minimize environmental impacts. Despite the promising advancements, challenges such as data quality, computational demands, and the need for robust, generalizable models persist. This review underscores the transformative potential of these technologies in promoting a resilient, efficient, and sustainable tree fruit industry, highlighting the need for continued research and development to fully realize their benefits.