New Phytotron for Studying the Effect of Climate Change on Plant Pathogens

Abstract

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in its recent fourth assessment report predicts that, because of higher concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, until 2100 the global mean temperature would rise between 0.6 and 4°C, in combination with changes in precipitation and an increased frequency of extreme weather events. Despite this trend, the extent and mechanisms through which elevated CO₂ affects plant diseases remain uncertain. Increases in CO₂ and temperatures are also expected to induce complex effects on plant pathogens. Although re- 10 search on the effects of climate change continues to be limited, new tools are permitting to study the effects of climate variables on infection rates in the case of some pathosystems. The shortage of critical epidemiological data on individual plant diseases needs to be addressed using experimental approaches. A useful tool for such types of studies is represented by phytotrons. Hereby, a new phytotron typology, built with the specific aim of studying the effect of climate change on plant disease, is described. Beginning from a general plant overview, key mechanical and electrical systems are described (i.e. air temperature and relative humidity control, lighting and CO₂ control system etc.) as environmental parameters and operation cycle are summarized. In particular both parameters which could be set and monitored and those measured and stored are reported. After a suitable testing period, several operation cycles were performed in order to assess the control system’s stability and to optimize the management of all systems involved and the first experimental trials were carried out. The effect of three different simulated climatic conditions: 450 ppm of CO₂ with standard temperature (ranging from 18 to 24°C or 18 to 26°C), elevated CO₂ (800 ppm) with standard temperature and elevated CO₂ (800 ppm) with elevated temperature (4°C higher than standard) on the development of grape powdery and downy mildew were tested

Effect of Elevated Atmospheric CO2 and Temperature Increases on the Severity of Basil Downy Mildew Caused by Peronospora belbahrii Under Phytotron Conditions

“…The effects of elevated CO 2 and temperature were studied in six physically and electronically separated phytotrons, with 2 m wide × 2 m long × 2.5 m high internal dimensions (Gullino et al. ). A 14/10‐h day/night photoperiod was provided by two lighting systems (master‐colour CDM‐TD metallic iodure discharge lamps and TLD 18‐830 Philips neon lamps.…”

“…The environmental parameters (light, temperature, humidity and CO 2 ) inside the phytotrons were monitored continuously and kept constant (Gullino et al. ).…”

“…Phytotron‐based studies permit a precise control of environmental parameters, such us temperature, relative humidity, air, light, CO 2 concentration, air speed, leaf temperature and wetness (Gullino et al. ). It is impossible to achieve such a degree of control under natural field conditions.…”

Verrucarin A and roridin E produced on spinach by Myrothecium verrucaria under different temperatures and CO2 levels

“…Phytotrons are an efficient method to manage controlled-environment condition. To simulate climate change scenario, with different temperatures and CO 2 levels on different pathosystems, they are commonly used (Pugliese et al 2012;Gullino et al 2011;Chitarra et al 2015).…”

Simulated elevated atmospheric CO2 and temperature affect the severity of bean and pelargonium rust

“…Several researches have been carried out over the past few years to evaluate the effects of increases in atmospheric CO 2 and temperature, which have been associated with global climate changes, on plants and their diseases (Coakley et al 1999;Ainsworth and Long 2005;Chakraborty et al 2002;2013;Ghini et al 2008;Gautam et al 2013;Pugliese et al 2012a, b;Ferrocino et al 2013;Gilardi et al 2016). Phytotrons can be used to simulate future climate change scenarios because they permit environmental parameters, such as temperature, relative humidity, light, CO 2 concentration, air speed, leaf temperature and wetness to be manipulated (Gullino et al 2011), in order to evaluate the behaviour of plants and their pathogens. Plant pathogens, particularly foliar pathogens, are affected in various ways in different pathosystems by increased CO 2 and temperature (Ainsworth and Long 2005;Mina and Sinha 2008;Grünzweig 2011;Pugliese et al 2010Pugliese et al , 2012aChakraborty 2013).…”