Climate change and diseases of food crops

Abstract

Despite complex regional patterns of projected climate change, significant decreases in food crop yields have been predicted using the 'worst case' CO 2 emission scenario (A1FI) of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Overall, climate change is predicted to have a progressively negative effect on the yield of food crops, particularly in the absence of efforts to mitigate global CO 2 emissions. As with all species, plant pathogens will have varying responses to climate change. Whilst the life cycle of some pathogens will be limited by increasing temperatures, e.g. Puccinia striiformis f.sp. tritici, other climatic factors such as increasing atmospheric CO 2 , may provide more favourable conditions for pathogens such as Fusarium pseudograminearum. Based on published literature and unpublished work in progress, we have reviewed the qualitative effects of climate change on pathogens that cause disease of four major food crops: wheat, rice, soybean and potato. The limited data show that the influence will be positive, negative or neutral, depending on the host-pathogen interaction. Quantitative analysis of climate change on pathogens of these crops is largely lacking, either from field or laboratory studies or from modelling-based assessments. Systematic quantitative analysis of these effects will be necessary in developing future disease management plans, such as plant breeding, altered planting schedules, chemical and biological control methods and increased monitoring for new disease threats.

Robust cropping systems to tackle pests under climate change. A review

“…However, it is widely considered to also affect plant morphology, canopy structure, and hence micro-climate and the resident micro-floral populations in such environments (Eastburn et al 2011). Thus far, different studies have given conflicting results showing that elevated CO 2 levels may have negative, neutral, or positive effects on fungal growth (Luck et al 2011). Indeed, the Climapest project, covering 20 different crops throughout Brazil, concluded that climate change can "decrease, increase, or have no impact on plant diseases, pests, or weeds depending on the region and the time period" (http://www.…”

Responses of Insect Pests and Plant Diseases to Changing and Variable Climate: A Review

“…Hijmans (2000) has predicted that for each 1 °C warming, late blight would occur 4 to 7 days earlier, and the susceptibility period is extended by 10 to 20 days (Kaukoranta, 1996). In India, late blight now appears earlier in the northern part (November) and later in eastern parts (February) and within a higher temperature range of 14-27.5 °C than at 10-25 °C which used to occur in the past (Luck et al, 2011).…”

“…In north-western plains of India, late blight of potato used to occur in mild to moderate form only once in 4 to 5 years, but more recently as a result of climate warming, it is occurring every 2 years (Luck et al, 2011). Climate warming extends the period of activity of the late blight pathogen (Luck, 2011).…”

“…Climate warming extends the period of activity of the late blight pathogen (Luck, 2011). Hijmans (2000) has predicted that for each 1 °C warming, late blight would occur 4 to 7 days earlier, and the susceptibility period is extended by 10 to 20 days (Kaukoranta, 1996).…”

Plant growth and leaf-spot severity on eucalypt at different CO2concentrations in the air

“…Above-and belowground biomass accumulation exhibits strong and consistent increases under elevated CO 2 (Eastburn et al, 2011). However, the effects on plant diseases may differ according to the pathogen, the host, the environmental conditions, and the methodology used in the studies (Luck et al, 2011).…”