Disease resistance may be improved in agricultural crops planted at appropriate date: a meta-analysis

Despite noticeable benefits of appropriate planting date to manage different crop diseases, efficiency of this sustainable agricultural practice in integrated crop management is little understood. It is also highly desired to study whether planting at appropriate date can improve durability of genetic resistance and thus, improve productivity. Based on meta-analysis of 318 experimental observations, pathogen and resistance factors affected not only disease control efficiency but also yield improvement. Greater control efficiencies were obtained for Phacopsora pachyrhizi, Fusarium spp., Blumeria graminis, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Tilletia spp. and streak mosaic virus. Yield improvements for appropriate planting dates ranged within 52–213% across different pathosystems. Greater disease control efficiencies were detected for susceptible crops compared to resistant crops planted at appropriate dates. Greater yield was detected in susceptible than resistant crops. Principal component analysis signified relationships between control efficiency, genetic resistance, planting date and yield. Planting date could be considered in developing sustainable cropping systems.