Climate change and viral diseases in relation to crop productivity and food security: A Review

Abstract

Food shortage is prevalent in sub-saharan Africa and the situation is worsened by climate change which has become a subject of discourse in the recent years. Climate change is caused by accelerating rise in temperature, carbon dioxide levels and irregularity of rainfall. Apart from its direct impact on crop production and productivity, climate change can aggravate pest damage to crops. It has also been predicted that climate change may lead to geographic expansion of viruses and vector distribution. New viral disease complexes may arise, and plant viruses may follow migrating hosts to infect vegetation in natural plant communities which may induce an epidemic. Climate change may alter the suitability of crops and other plants for certain locations. Global agro-climatic zones are expected to shift as the climate changes and trade patterns will also vary as a result of these changes. Challenges imposed by climate change can be partly mitigated by integrated management systems, especially the development and deployment of well-adapted virus-resistant varieties, using the traditional or transgenic technique and biological control of virus vectors.