Effects of Climate Change on Crop Pests and Diseases in The Tropics

Climate elements exerts limitation on both plants and pests growth, reproduction capacity and their distribution in terms of ability to adapt to the prevailing environmental factors. The area of the world that lies within the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn is generally referred to as the "Tropics". It includes Central America, northern part of South America, much of Central Africa, South Asia, and the northern part of Australia. The problems that prevail in these areas are prevalence of pests and crop diseases as one the most limiting factor to crop production. Majority of the food we eat comes from the domesticated plants, which are attacked by pests and diseases which are respectfully affected by extreme weather conditions occasioned by climate change. Studies have shown that climate change has exacerbated the effect of diseases, insects and weeds on crop production that lead to about 36.5% of yield loss estimated to the tune of $220 billion dollars annually across the globe. In addition to monetary losses, yield loss causes malnutrition and hunger resulting to unprecedented social crises. To mitigate the effects of plant diseases, millions of kilograms of pesticides are used to treat seed, soil and harvested fruits every year, which increases production costs and environmental pollution. The aim of the paper to discuss Effects of Climate Change on Crop Pests and Diseases in the Tropics.The tropical region, climate change, causes of climate change, constituent of climate change, driver of climate change, interactions that lead to diseases, impact of climate change on some pests and their distribution in the tropics were discussed.