Impact of climate change on wheat disease scenario in Punjab

The analysis of last 30 year historical weather data from different locations of Punjab has indicated that significant changes have occurred in the weather causing early warming up in February. Such climatic changes will influence wheat crop which is of premier importance in the region. Temperature affects the growth of the crop, host-pathogen interactions and will alter the susceptibility window. Temperature rise above normal and increased humidity will predispose the crop to severe brown rust infection and abet facultative pathogens. With various changes in temperature and humidity, the susceptibility window for yellow rust and Karnal bunt was expected to be reduced and expanded for brown rust, foliar blights, head scab, and in absence of resistance there can be ‘vulnerability’ to stem rust in future in the temperate cultivars.