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.
Citations
More filters
TL;DR: A review comprehensively focuses on the morphology of the pathogen, disease spread and epidemiology, control measures, the genetics of the Pathogen, and the current trends in sheath blight research as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: Sheath Blight (ShB) disease of rice is a disease of significant importance caused by the fungus Rhizoctonia solani AG1-IA. Several published reports state that the disease is capable to destroy rice yield and grain quality up to 50%. DeCandolle (1815) first introduced the genus concept of Rhizoctonia and the fungus, R. solani AG1-IA (Teleomorph Thanatephorous cucumeris Frank. Donk) belongs to the phylum Basidiomycota, and family Ceratobasidiaceae. This pathogenic fungus creates early symptoms on the ‘leaf sheaths’ of rice plants as circular, oval or ellipsoid, water-soaked spots which are greenish-gray in color. This review comprehensively focuses on the morphology of the pathogen, disease spread and epidemiology, control measures, the genetics of the pathogen, and the current trends in sheath blight research.
3 citations
17 Mar 2017
TL;DR: Paleari et al. as discussed by the authors proposed a new generation of models explicitly built around traits for which breeding programs are ongoing, with a case study presenting a new model for salt tolerance used for ideotyping purposes in two different environments.
Abstract: Paleari, L., 2016. IN SILICO IDEOTYPING: Definition and evaluation of rice ideotypes improved for resistance/tolerance traits to biotic and abiotic stressors under climate change scenarios. Ph.D. Thesis, University of Milan, Italy, 150 pp., 17 figures, 8 tables, 279 references. Ecophysiological crop models, coupled with advanced computational (e.g., sensitivity analysis, SA) and IT techniques, can be profitably used to analyze G×E×M interactions and, in turn, to support breeding programs through the design of ideotypes suitable for specific growing conditions. However, the exploitation of the potential of simulation technologies for breeding purposes is limited by the uncertainty in the distribution of values for the in silico representation of traits for available germplasms and by the partial suitability of the models themselves. Indeed, although to a different extent, available modelling approaches lack a clear relationship between model parameters and plant traits and, in most cases, they miss algorithms for processes involved with resistance/tolerance, which are often priority aspects within breeding programs. This, as well as technological barriers, prevented the modelling and breeding communities from interacting. This research addressed these issues focusing on rice – given its role as staple food for more than half of the world’s population – and targeting both current conditions and future climate projections, to support the definition of breeding strategies in the medium-long term. A new procedure to identify parameters whose uncertainty in distributions would affect ideotype design was developed and districtspecific ideotypes improved for resistance/tolerance traits were defined by means of variance-based SA techniques or by mimicking introgression of traits from donor genotypes. A paradigm shift towards a new generation of models explicitly built around traits for which breeding programs are ongoing was proposed, with a case study presenting a new model for salt tolerance used for ideotyping purposes in two different environments. A modelling platform for district-specific ideotyping was also designed and developed by targeting breeders as final users, highlighting the role of an interdisciplinary approach to increase the usefulness of simulation technologies for supporting breeding programs. Reference to the contents of Chapters II, IV, and VI should be made by citing the original publications.
3 citations
TL;DR: In this paper , the root functional traits and microbial communities of coffee plants were investigated in a coffee variety Caturra along a gradient of coffee leaf rust under contrasting but widespread amendment regimes in biodiverse agroforestry systems.
Abstract: Global climate change is increasing pest and pathogen pressures on plant communities, deteriorating optimal plant functioning. In plant communities, root functional trait expression and microbial communities are important indicators of plant functioning belowground, and, when confronted with pathogens aboveground, can simultaneously reflect plant defence strategies. Yet, while research is continuing to emerge on the response of root functional traits and microbial processes to pathogens aboveground, little work has investigated these interactions in tree-crops, or the role organic amendments play in moderating these relationships. The main objective of this study is to disentangle the dynamic effects of pathogens and amendments on root functional traits (i.e. specific root length and area, root diameter, root length density, root nitrogen and root carbon to nitrogen ratio) and root endophytic fungal communities. As a model, we use Coffea arabica (coffee) variety Caturra along a gradient of coffee leaf rust – a foliar disease prominent in coffee systems – under contrasting but widespread amendment regimes in biodiverse agroforestry systems. We found that root trait expression varies along established conservation and collaboration gradients, where fungal endophyte community composition varies significantly as a function of root traits. Belowground resource acquisition strategies do not change with foliar disease incidence, suggesting they may be decoupled. Rather, amendment regimes differentially shape root trait expression and microbial communities, where coffee plants under organic amendments, regardless of foliar disease incidence, expressed greater acquisitive traits and enhanced collaboration with symbiotic fungi. This is an important first step in disentangling the dynamic inter-relationships between plant traits, endophytes and pathogens, generating new questions on the role of amendments in sustainable pathogen management in biodiverse agroecosystems.
3 citations
01 Jan 2016
TL;DR: In this paper, an attempt is made to distil what is known about the likely effects of climate change on food security and nutrition in coming decades. But, the likely impacts of climate changes on agricultural sector in the future are not understood in any great depth.
Abstract: Increasing evidence shows that shifts in Earth’s climate have already occurred and indicates that changes will continue in the coming years. This chapter is an attempt to distil what is known about the likely effects of climate change on food security and nutrition in coming decades. Apart from few exceptions, the likely impacts of climate change on agricultural sector in the future are not understood in any great depth. There are many uncertainties as to how changes in temperature, rainfall and atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations will interact in relation to agricultural productivity. The consequences of climate change on various important aspects of agriculture such as crop production, livestock, availability of water, pest and diseases etc. are discussed and summarized. Each of this aspect of agriculture sector will have certain impact which may be positive or negative. The chapter also discusses on the possible mitigation measures and adaptations for agriculture production in the future climate change scenarios.
3 citations
Dissertation•
10 Jul 2014
TL;DR: It is indicated that known viruses are not currently a major problem for UK winter wheat, however, novel viruses that are a problem may be detected in the future perhaps by next generation sequencing.
Abstract: The potential for viruses to be causing the plateau in the yield of UK wheat (Triticum aestivum) was investigated. Mechanical inoculation of Cynosurus mottle virus to wheat cv. Scout and cv. Gladiator caused 83% and 58% reduction in the number of grains produced, highlighting the potential of viruses to cause disease and yield loss. Viruses historically detected in cereals in the UK were not found to be prevalent following real time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction testing of 1,356 UK wheat samples from 2009-2012 using eleven assasys developed in the project. This included an assay for Cynosurus mottle virus, which was based on its complete genome sequence which was obtained for the first time in this project. Viruses detected were Barley yellow dwarf virus-MAV (6 samples) (BYDV-MAV), Barley yellow dwarf virus-PAV (6 samples) (BYDV-PAV) and Soil-borne cereal mosaic virus (12 samples) (SBCMV). There was a higher prevalence of viruses in the south, thought to be due to warmer temperatures which benefitted insect vectors and the molecular processes of infection. Viruses were most commonly detected in the variety JB Diego, perhaps because this variety has no known resistance to viruses.
The low prevalence of known viruses could also have been because they were outcompeted or replaced by previously unknown ones. Next generation sequencing was used to test 120 samples from an organic site, including wheat, weeds and insects, to search for novel viruses. Testing of twelve storage regimes for insect traps using BYDV-PAV infected Sitobion avenae for recovery of PCR amplifiable RNA using 18S rRNA and BYDV-PAV assays found that 0.5 M EDTA was the most successful regime which was therefore used in the collection of samples for sequencing. Known viruses such as BYDV-PAV were detected along with some additional potentially novel viruses (eight possibly novel viruses or strains of viruses with four in wheat). One such virus was apparently present in 25% of all wheat samples tested, making it potentially very significant. This could be important for unlocking the yield potential of wheat because it could be a cryptic virus which is highly prevalent.
In order to control the spread of viruses their methods of transmission must be understood, therefore testing of seeds and resulting plants from Cynosurus mottle virus infected material was done. Tests did not detect the virus, therefore it was concluded that seed transmission does not occur. However, further tests are required.
In conclusion this study indicates that known viruses are not currently a major problem for UK winter wheat. However, novel viruses that are a problem may be detected in the future perhaps by next generation sequencing. Additonal viruses from abroad would add to the threat. The impact of all viruses in wheat may be greater in the future due to climate change.
3 citations
References
More filters
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.
32,826 citations
Book•
01 Jul 2001
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.
12,541 citations
Book•
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.
8,465 citations
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