Does Climate Change Increase Disease Severity Caused by Crop Pathogens? A Systematic Review

This systematic review evaluates the scientific literature from 2010 to 2024 on the effects of climate change-induced modifications in key abiotic factors on the severity of plant diseases caused by pathogens. The review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of recent advancements in plant pathology within the context of climate change, identifying knowledge gaps and highlighting areas that require further research. A thorough database search was conducted in Scopus and Web of Science, yielding 2,459 articles. After applying PRISMA exclusion criteria, 106 articles were selected for in-depth analysis, in which 32 articles focused on water deficit stress (WDS), 27 on the combined effect of elevated temperature (eT°) and CO₂, 23 on eT°, 22 on elevated CO₂ (eCO₂), and the combined effects of eT° + CO₂, eT° + RH, eT° + CO₂ + soil moisture, eT° + soil moisture and eCO₂ + WDS. The review covered 60 agriculturally important crops, with wheat, grape, chickpea, and rice being the most frequently studied. Fusarium sp. emerged as the most researched fungal genus, alongside other significant pathogens such as Rhizoctonia sp. and Phytophthora sp. Across all studies, 61% reported an increase in pathogen severity, with WDS being the most critical factor, followed by the combined effects of eT° and CO₂. These findings highlight how soilborne pathogens influence soil dynamics and responses to climate change. The review underscores the need for further research on the multiple interactions between abiotic stress and severity, which is essential for developing mitigation strategies, such as improving soil management practices and integrated pest management, to safeguard crop health and support global food security in a changing climate.