Integrating pests and pathogens into the climate change/food security debate
TL;DR: More mechanistic inclusion of pests and pathogen effects in crop models would lead to more realistic predictions of crop production on a regional scale and thereby assist in the development of more robust regional food security policies.
Abstract: While many studies have demonstrated the sensitivities of plants and of crop yield to a changing climate, a major challenge for the agricultural research community is to relate these findings to the broader societal concern with food security. This paper reviews the direct effects of climate on both crop growth and yield and on plant pests and pathogens and the interactions that may occur between crops, pests, and pathogens under changed climate. Finally, we consider the contribution that better understanding of the roles of pests and pathogens in crop production systems might make to enhanced food security. Evidence for the measured climate change on crops and their associated pests and pathogens is starting to be documented. Globally atmospheric [CO(2)] has increased, and in northern latitudes mean temperature at many locations has increased by about 1.0-1.4 degrees C with accompanying changes in pest and pathogen incidence and to farming practices. Many pests and pathogens exhibit considerable capacity for generating, recombining, and selecting fit combinations of variants in key pathogenicity, fitness, and aggressiveness traits that there is little doubt that any new opportunities resulting from climate change will be exploited by them. However, the interactions between crops and pests and pathogens are complex and poorly understood in the context of climate change. More mechanistic inclusion of pests and pathogen effects in crop models would lead to more realistic predictions of crop production on a regional scale and thereby assist in the development of more robust regional food security policies.
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TL;DR: The results obtained in the present study reveal that the choice of phenological models affects voltinism predictions and that a nonlinear model can be used to understand the effects of climate change on insectvoltinism, especially in regions where temperature will reach the upper threshold of a species more often.
Abstract: Temperature is a key environmental factor affecting the growth, development, survival and reproduction of insects. Although it is widely known that the relationship between temperature and insect development rate is nonlinear, model‐based studies have been conducted to investigate the global warming impacts on insect voltinism using the degree‐day approach based on a linear model. In the present study, the wheat armyworm Mythimna sequax (Franclemont) was used as a model organism to test whether voltinism estimated under current and future climate conditions varied among phenological models, locations and climate change scenarios. In general, voltinism increased in different years and climate change scenarios compared with current climatic conditions. The degree‐day overestimated the number of generations compared with the nonlinear models and also predicted an increase in voltinism in the entire study area as a result of global warming. Location, phenological model and the interaction between these factors explained 94% of the variance in the estimated voltinism. The results obtained in the present study reveal that the choice of phenological models affects voltinism predictions and that a nonlinear model can be used to understand the effects of climate change on insect voltinism, especially in regions where temperature will reach the upper threshold of a species more often.
9 citations
Cites background from "Integrating pests and pathogens int..."
...In this context, knowing how global warming will affect the occurrence, abundance and population dynamics of insects becomes a question of concern because it involves food security and public health issues (Gregory et al. 2009; Odgen & Lindsay 2016)....
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01 Jan 2012-Cab Reviews: Perspectives in Agriculture, Veterinary Science, Nutrition and Natural Resources
TL;DR: In this article, a Rural Economy and Land Use (RELU)-funded project on the growing risk of plant diseases in the UK, current and future challenges to plant health are discussed.
Abstract: Plant health is a key condition for a sustainable land use and rural economy. Drawing on a Rural Economy and Land Use (RELU)-funded project on the growing risk of plant diseases in the UK, current and future challenges to plant health are discussed. It is well recognized that farmers have an important role in shaping plant health policies at a time of major structural changes in agricultural industries. However, the role of consumers has also much potential to improve sustainability of plant disease management options. The phytosanitary legislation is catching up with the many recent developments in plant health, but needs to be integrated with policies aimed at achieving animal and human health. Interdisciplinary approaches in research on plant health, as well as an increasing involvement of stakeholders in the management of plant epidemics, are to be welcomed. Plant diseases also influence (and are influenced by) land use and environmental regulations in general. Climate change is likely to increase the frequency and magnitude of new plant disease outbreaks, particularly when combined with globalization of trade, intensification of land use and structural evolution of the agricultural sector. To tackle the many challenges to plant health, it is mandatory to ensure long-term funding for interdisciplinary plant health research and management
9 citations
19 May 2021
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors demonstrated the effects of essential oils from 14 experimentally cultivated aromatic plants on larvicidal and insect antifeedant properties, and proposed the plant populations of S. montana, T. zygis, S. vulgaris and M. suaveolens tested here for further development as biopesticide ingredients.
Abstract: This work has demonstrated the ixodicidal and insect antifeedant effects of essential oils from 14 experimentally cultivated aromatic plants. The strong ixodicidal and antifeedant oils corresponded to Thymus zygis, Thymus vulgaris, Satureja montana, Oreganum virens and Mentha suaveolens. The moderately active oils were from Lavandula angustifolia, Mentha piperita, Mentha spicata, Artemisa herba-alba and Rosmarinus officinalis. The most effective larvicidal and antifeedant compounds were piperitenone oxide, carvacrol, piperitenone and thymol, explaining the effects of the most active essential oils. The rest of tested compounds were not ixodicidal or antifeedant. Therefore, the activity of moderately active oils cannot be explained by their main components (linalyl acetate, linalool, menthone, menthol, limonene, camphor, 1,8-cineole, p-cymene, α-pinene, carvone) suggesting synergistic effects. Considering the ixodicidal and antifeedant effects of these extracts, the plants have been ranked in relation to Thymus vulgare, a commercial biopesticide ingredient, for their potential as botanical pesticides. T. zygis, S. montana, and M. suaveolens ranked over T. vulgaris as ixodicidal agents and S. montana as insecticidal. Therefore, we propose the plant populations of S. montana, T. zygis and M. suaveolens tested here for further development as biopesticide ingredients.
8 citations
TL;DR: This review examines progress made thus far with regards to improving quality traits in alfalfa using biotechnological strategies and discusses future priorities and avenues that have the potential to support a sustainable, environmentally friendly, and productive livestock industry.
Abstract: Forage crops, including grasses and legumes, comprise a critical component of the livestock industry. Although alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is the most widely grown of the perennial leguminous forage species due to a number of positive attributes, it also suffers from various drawbacks related to inefficiencies in rumen fermentation. This results not only in the inferior conversion of plant-derived nitrogen into milk and meat products, and associated economic losses for producers, but can also lead to serious health issues in livestock and have negative environmental impacts. Therefore, there is currently an impetus for the improvement of traits in alfalfa that could enhance nitrogen and energy use, provide health benefits to the livestock it feeds, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Since gains in this area using conventional breeding approaches have proven difficult to achieve, molecular breeding strategies are currently being assessed for their potential to provide a complementary approach. In this review, we examine progress made thus far with regards to improving such quality traits in alfalfa using biotechnological strategies and discuss future priorities and avenues that have the potential to support a sustainable, environmentally friendly, and productive livestock industry.
8 citations
27 Sep 2012
TL;DR: In this article, the authors proposed that India should address the issue of climate change and focus on providing better environment to improve quality of human life, which will depend on the acceptance and use of contemporary molecular techniques as well as the increasing development for agricultural systems that apply salt water (saline) and integrate nutrient cycling flow.
Abstract: More importantly in developing countries, it will be different for farmers to carry on farmering in the increased temperature (drastic circumstances) of 21 th century. Population growth, arable land and fresh water limits, and ability of agriculture to meet this century’s demands while reducing the environmental impact of their productivity. Recognizing this, it is necessary that India should address the issue of climatic change and focus on providing better environment to improve quality of human life. Success depend on the acceptance and use of contemporary molecular techniques as well as the increasing development for agricultural systems that apply salt water (saline) and integrate nutrient cycling flow.
8 citations
Cites background from "Integrating pests and pathogens int..."
...…of conventional and molecular breeding as well as molecular genetics modifications (GM) to adopt our existing food crops to increasing temperature, decreased water others rising salinity (World Bank 2008; Royal Society London 2009) and changing pathogens and insects threats (Gregory et al. 2009)....
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References
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01 Jan 2007
TL;DR: The first volume of the IPCC's Fourth Assessment Report as mentioned in this paper was published in 2007 and covers several topics including the extensive range of observations now available for the atmosphere and surface, changes in sea level, assesses the paleoclimatic perspective, climate change causes both natural and anthropogenic, and climate models for projections of global climate.
Abstract: This report is the first volume of the IPCC's Fourth Assessment Report. It covers several topics including the extensive range of observations now available for the atmosphere and surface, changes in sea level, assesses the paleoclimatic perspective, climate change causes both natural and anthropogenic, and climate models for projections of global climate.
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TL;DR: In this paper, the authors set the stage for impact, adaptation, and vulnerability assessment of climate change in the context of sustainable development and equity, and developed and applied scenarios in Climate Change Impact, Adaptation, and Vulnerability Assessment.
Abstract: Summary for policymakers Technical summary Part I. Setting the Stage for Impact, Adaptation, and Vulnerability Assessment: 1. Overview 2. Methods and tools 3. Development and application of scenarios in Climate Change Impact, Adaptation, and Vulnerability Assessment Part II. Sectors and Systems: Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability: 4. Hydrology and water resources 5. Natural and managed ecosystems 6. Coastal zones and marine ecosystems 7. Energy, industry, and settlements 8. Financial services 9. Human health Part III. Regional Analyses: Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability: 10. Africa 11. Asia 12. Australasia 13. Europe 14. Latin America 15. North America 16. Polar regions (Arctic and Antarctic) 17. Small island states Part IV. Global Issues and Synthesis: 18. Adaptation to climate change in the context of sustainable development and equity 19. Synthesis and integration of impacts, adaptation, and vulnerability Index.
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01 Jan 2007
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present a cross-chapter case study on climate change and sustainability in natural and managed systems and assess key vulnerabilities and the risk from climate change, and assess adaptation practices, options, constraints and capacity.
Abstract: Foreword Preface Introduction Summary for policymakers Technical summary 1. Assessment of observed changes and responses in natural and managed systems 2. New assessment methodologies and the characterisation of future conditions 3. Fresh water resources and their management 4. Ecosystems, their properties, goods and services 5. Food, fibre and forest products 6. Coastal systems and low-lying areas 7. Industry, settlement and society 8. Human health 9. Africa 10. Asia 11. Australia and New Zealand 12. Europe 13. Latin America 14. North America 15. Polar regions (Arctic and Antarctic) 16. Small islands 17. Assessment of adaptation practices, options, constraints and capacity 18. Inter-relationships between adaptation and mitigation 19. Assessing key vulnerabilities and the risk from climate change 20. Perspectives on climate change and sustainability - 811 Cross-chapter case studies Appendix I. Glossary Appendix II. Contributors to the IPCC WGII Fourth Assessment Report Appendix III. Reviewers of the IPCC WGII Fourth Assessment Report Appendix IV. Acronyms and abbreviations Appendix V. Index and database of regional content Index CD-ROM.
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Journal Article•
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present a document, redatto, voted and pubblicato by the Ipcc -Comitato intergovernativo sui cambiamenti climatici - illustra la sintesi delle ricerche svolte su questo tema rilevante.
Abstract: Cause, conseguenze e strategie di mitigazione Proponiamo il primo di una serie di articoli in cui affronteremo l’attuale problema dei mutamenti climatici. Presentiamo il documento redatto, votato e pubblicato dall’Ipcc - Comitato intergovernativo sui cambiamenti climatici - che illustra la sintesi delle ricerche svolte su questo tema rilevante.
4,187 citations