Impact of Climate Change on Host, Pathogen and Plant Disease Adaptation Regime: A Review

An aberrant and harsh climate of arid and semi-arid regions of the world coupled with a continuous rise in temperature and CO2 concentration has adversely affected production and productivity of crops, livestock and fisheries in the region. Some of the minor pest species have acquired serious status due to fluctuating environmental conditions in the recent years revealing higher numbers of pest occurrences that may result up to 40% loss in agriculture yield by the year 2100 in South Asia including India. The global average temperatures are expected to arise around 1–2°C by the year 2100. Consequently, more frequency of high temperatures, storms, or drought, a quantum jump in use of insecticides, change in virulence pattern, the emergence of pathogens in new areas has been anticipated. Simulation models have been advocated to be a better approach for the evaluation of the upcoming climate change impact on agriculture and forest plant disease. New gene discovery and their deployment would be a better approach to combat the effect of climate change. Abiotic stress tolerant varieties and integrated pest management (IPM) have increased yield and productivity under climate change scenario. A new innovation in pest management and commitment in anticipatory research against emerging pathogens through multidisciplinary techniques may be better strategies under climate change.