Effects of crop management patterns on coffee rust epidemics

Abstract

The effects of crop management patterns on coffee rust epidemics, caused by Hemileia vastatrix , are not well documented despite large amounts of data acquired in the field on epidemics, and much modelling work done on this disease. One main reason for this gap between epidemiological knowledge and understanding for management resides in the lack of links between many studies and actual production situations in the field. Coffee rust epidemics are based on a seemingly simple infection cycle, but develop polycyclic epidemics in a season and polyetic epidemics over successive seasons. These higher-level processes involve a very large number of environmental variables and, as in any system involving a perennial crop, the physiology of the coffee crop and how it affects crop yield. Crop management is therefore expected to have large effects on coffee rust epidemics because of its immediate effect on the infection cycle, but also because of its cumulative effect on ongoing and successive epidemics. Quantitative examples taken from a survey conducted in Honduras illustrate how crop management, different combinations of shade, coffee tree density, fertilization and pruning may strongly influence coffee rust epidemics through effects on microclimate and plant physiology which, in turn, influence the life cycle of the fungus. We suggest there is a need for novel coffee rust management systems which fully integrate crop management patterns in order to manage the disease in a sustainable way.

Plant species diversity for sustainable management of crop pests and diseases in agroecosystems: a review

“…The effects of PSD-induced changes in microclimate are even more complicated to foresee since some may facilitate a particular process in the life cycle of a pest or parasite while hampering the same process in another pest or parasite or another process in the same pest or parasite (Avelino et al 2004). The overall result of such antagonistic effects on pests and diseases development is consequently not always clear.…”

“…Avelino, Cirad) hand, coffee rust (H. vastatrix) epidemics are more intense when coffee yield is high (Avelino et al 2004;2006). As a result of the effects of shade on yield, a high percentage of shade has been reported to negatively affect the development of coffee rust (Avelino et al 2004;2006). The plant barriers discussed in "Section 13", which stresses the effects of obstacles on the movement of pests and diseases, can also change the microclimate by acting as windbreaks.…”

Energizing agroforestry: Ilex guayusa as an additional commodity to diversify Amazonian agroforestry systems

“…Coffee rust (Hemileia vastatrix) and Eye of the rooster (Mycena citricolor) are two coffee plant diseases that have decreased coffee yields substantially. Both diseases are expected to worsen with global climate change (Porter et al 1991;Avelino et al 2004;Ghini et al 2011;Jaramillo et al 2011). Several of the interviewees mentioned that these pests are a major problem, significantly impacting coffee and cocoa yields and incomes.…”

The coffee rust crises in Colombia and Central America (2008–2013): impacts, plausible causes and proposed solutions

“…However, shade has many effects on coffee rust development, including antagonistic effects. The balance of these effects is therefore difficult to establish (Avelino et al 2004;Avelino et al 2006;LopezBravo et al 2012). In Central America, equally high coffee rust intensities have been observed in both coffee plots under shade and at full sun exposure.…”