Abstract. Plant diseases are often caused by complexes of closely related parasite species. The coexistence of species sharing the same niche challenges the competitive exclusion principle. Here, we performed the mathematical analysis of a generic model of sibling parasite species coexistence based on seasonality. We showed that coexistence through temporal niche partitioning is biologically plausible as it occurred in a significant part of the parameter space of the model. Moreover, the reversal of species relative frequencies (i.e., the most frequent species at the beginning of the season becoming the last frequent at the end) can occur without compromising the long-term coexistence of the two species. We provided data showing that this reversal pattern does repeat over years in the case of two sibling species responsible for oak powdery mildew (Erysiphe alphitoides and Erysiphe quercicola) in Europe. Last, the model was fitted to the data and satisfactorily described the population dynamics of oak powdery mildew species. The seasonal succession of these two plant pathogen species provides one of the few examples of coexistence by temporal niche partitioning at the scale of the season caused by exploitative competition. We discuss whether evolutionary branching may have led to temporal niche differentiation in this system.

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This is a PDF file of an unedited manuscript that has been accepted for publication. As a service to our customers we are providing this early version of the manuscript. The manuscript will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and review of the resulting proof before it is published in its final form. Please note that during the production process errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain. Highlights • A simple meta-ecosystem model is proposed to represent mixed farming system • Optimization of livestock-induced nutrient transfer from rangeland to cropland improves crop production • Control theory provides tools that take into account the variability over time of agricultural practices • Time-varying livestock management can lead to higher crop production