Impact of climate change on diseases of cool season grain legume crops

Abstract

An increase in incidence of legume disease in response to climate change is likely but not assured. Many factors can affect any disease and reductions in incidence may be possible. Evidence from human diseases suggests that increases in diseases are occurring and in some cases this is reflected in increases in plant pathogens. However, models show that a variety of outcomes in plant disease incidence may occur and suggest that levels of disease will depend on interactions between plant and pathogen as well as with the environment. Climate change alters factors which may affect plant diseases indirectly. These include humidity, plant growth rate and soil microbiology as well as specific virulence and resistance factors. Legume diseases are unlikely to act differently and newly emerged diseases such as Anthracnose may already be accelerated by climate change. No general predictions of plant diseases are possible and will be increasingly necessary to monitor local conditions with rapid analysis techniques to manage disease and reduce losses. Molecular biology and other advanced methods have the speed and precision to assist in this monitoring and hold strong potential for future management. Data bases of information and rapid communication will be equally essential.