COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW ON ROLE MICROCLIMATE MODIFICATION FOR CROP PEST AND DISEASE INCIDENCE UNDER ELEVATED TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS

Abstract

Global surface temperatures have risen significantly over the past several decades, leading to an increased frequency of extreme heat events that threaten global food security and crop physiological stability. While macroclimatic data provide broad environmental trends, the health and productivity of crops are more directly governed by the microclimate, especially environmental conditions including temperature, humidity, and radiation within the cropping systems. This review explores the importance of microclimate modification as a resilient approach to mitigate the combined impacts of elevated temperatures and biotic stressors. Higher temperatures directly impair critical reproductive processes, such as pollen viability and grain filling, while simultaneously accelerating the metabolic rates and reproductive cycles of insect pests and enhancing the virulence of various pathogens. We categorize microclimate management into two primary strategies: protected cultivation and vegetative modification. Protected structures, such as greenhouses and shade nets, offer high-precision control over thermal and moisture variables while providing physical barriers against pests. Nature based vegetative interventions, including intercropping, agroforestry, and shelterbelts, utilize shading and transpiration cooling to buffer thermal extremes and enhance biodiversity. By modulating canopy temperature, humidity, and airflow, these modifications reduce the risk of pest proliferation and disease outbreaks while optimizing water-use efficiency. Integrating microclimate management with resistant crop varieties and sustainable pest control is essential for developing resilient agricultural systems capable of sustaining productivity in an increasingly unpredictable or extreme climate.