Chronophytopathology.

Abstract

Studies on the chronobiology of plant diseases are sparse. To date three papers can be cited, and two more by the present authors are in press. A vast literature on phytopathology indicates neglect of this potentially important feature of pathogenisis, i.e., progress and outcome of parasitic and abiotic disease of economic plants. Neither the host nor the pathogen has been an object of observation by researchers in phytopathology relative to temporal organization prior to or during host-parasite interactions. We point out the present state of information on the chronobiology of diseased plants and some efforts in progress; we also propose research that would elucidate the phenomenon and that perhaps would be useful in interpreting certain discrepancies in the literature.