BATHINDA: The 11 authors led by Professor Maria Lodovica of the University of Turin in Italy, prepared a UN-supported study, “Scientific review of the impact of climate change on plant pests, a global challenge for prevent and mitigate the risks associated with plant pests in agriculture, forestry and ecosystems ”. The study, prepared under the International Plant Protection Convention (IPCC) and hosted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), was released on Wednesday (Thursday morning in India ).
Scientific review examines 15 plant pests that have spread or could spread due to climate change as risks increase, the authors warn that a single exceptionally warm winter is capable of providing conditions conducive to infestations of ‘insects.
“The main findings of this review should alert everyone to how climate change may affect how infectious, distributed and severe parasites may become around the world,” said Qu Dongyu, UN FAO Director General , during launch.
“The review clearly shows that the impact of climate change is one of the biggest challenges facing the plant health community,” he added.
The aim of this report is to highlight the potential effects of climate change on plant pests, and therefore on plant health. It is based on an analysis of the scientific literature and studies that have studied these aspects. Studies have assessed the effects of several atmospheric and climatic factors, including increased temperature, carbon dioxide and ozone, and changes in water or humidity patterns, on the distribution, occurrence and the abundance of pests and the severity of the pest risk they pose.
Prevention, mitigation and adaptation measures to limit the international spread of the pests through trade and travel are needed. Short- and medium-term mitigation and adaptation options include measures such as the use of resistant varieties and alteration of the microclimate.
The evidence reviewed in this report strongly indicates that in many cases climate change will lead to increasing plant health issues in managed (agriculture, horticulture, forestry), semi-managed (national parks) and possibly also ecosystems. not managed. Adjustments in plant protection protocols are already needed due to recent climate change, but further adjustments will become increasingly crucial in the future, assuming projected climate change scenarios materialize. Preventive and curative phytosanitary protection is one of the key elements necessary to maintain and preserve current and future food security.
The study also examines the risk of rice in India, indicating that the infection capacity of leaf blight (caused by Magnaporthe oryzae) is expected to increase during the winter season (December to March), while during the monsoon season. (July to October), it is expected to increase remain unchanged or decrease slightly.
Some 10 to 28 percent of global agricultural production is currently lost to pests and diseases in plants, which rob the global economy of more than $ 220 billion annually. Invasive pests cost countries at least $ 70 billion, and they are also a major driver of biodiversity loss, FAO said.
Species such as the fall armyworm, which feed on crops such as corn, sorghum and millet, have already spread due to the warmer climate. Others, such as desert locusts, which are the most destructive migratory pests in the world, are expected to change their migration routes and geographic distribution.
Movements like these threaten food security as a whole, and smallholder farmers as well as people in countries where food security is a problem are among those particularly at risk, according to the report.
The report is one of the key initiatives of the International Year of Plant Health, which ends this month.
“Preserving plant health is fundamental to achieving sustainable development goals,” said Qu. “Preserving plant health is integral to our work for more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems,” he says.
The authors presented several recommendations for mitigating the impact of climate change, including intensifying international cooperation, as effective management of plant pests in one country affects success in others.
The authors also highlighted the need for more research and additional investment in strengthening national systems and structures related to plant health.
Scientific review examines 15 plant pests that have spread or could spread due to climate change as risks increase, the authors warn that a single exceptionally warm winter is capable of providing conditions conducive to infestations of ‘insects.
“The main findings of this review should alert everyone to how climate change may affect how infectious, distributed and severe parasites may become around the world,” said Qu Dongyu, UN FAO Director General , during launch.
“The review clearly shows that the impact of climate change is one of the biggest challenges facing the plant health community,” he added.
The aim of this report is to highlight the potential effects of climate change on plant pests, and therefore on plant health. It is based on an analysis of the scientific literature and studies that have studied these aspects. Studies have assessed the effects of several atmospheric and climatic factors, including increased temperature, carbon dioxide and ozone, and changes in water or humidity patterns, on the distribution, occurrence and the abundance of pests and the severity of the pest risk they pose.
Prevention, mitigation and adaptation measures to limit the international spread of the pests through trade and travel are needed. Short- and medium-term mitigation and adaptation options include measures such as the use of resistant varieties and alteration of the microclimate.
The evidence reviewed in this report strongly indicates that in many cases climate change will lead to increasing plant health issues in managed (agriculture, horticulture, forestry), semi-managed (national parks) and possibly also ecosystems. not managed. Adjustments in plant protection protocols are already needed due to recent climate change, but further adjustments will become increasingly crucial in the future, assuming projected climate change scenarios materialize. Preventive and curative phytosanitary protection is one of the key elements necessary to maintain and preserve current and future food security.
The study also examines the risk of rice in India, indicating that the infection capacity of leaf blight (caused by Magnaporthe oryzae) is expected to increase during the winter season (December to March), while during the monsoon season. (July to October), it is expected to increase remain unchanged or decrease slightly.
Some 10 to 28 percent of global agricultural production is currently lost to pests and diseases in plants, which rob the global economy of more than $ 220 billion annually. Invasive pests cost countries at least $ 70 billion, and they are also a major driver of biodiversity loss, FAO said.
Species such as the fall armyworm, which feed on crops such as corn, sorghum and millet, have already spread due to the warmer climate. Others, such as desert locusts, which are the most destructive migratory pests in the world, are expected to change their migration routes and geographic distribution.
Movements like these threaten food security as a whole, and smallholder farmers as well as people in countries where food security is a problem are among those particularly at risk, according to the report.
The report is one of the key initiatives of the International Year of Plant Health, which ends this month.
“Preserving plant health is fundamental to achieving sustainable development goals,” said Qu. “Preserving plant health is integral to our work for more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems,” he says.
The authors presented several recommendations for mitigating the impact of climate change, including intensifying international cooperation, as effective management of plant pests in one country affects success in others.
The authors also highlighted the need for more research and additional investment in strengthening national systems and structures related to plant health.
