**4. Conclusion**

The response of plant pathogens (fungi, oomycetes, bacteria, nematodes, viruses) to the range of irrigations methods and management configurations varies widely and must be addressed for each particular plant-pathogen system (**Figure 1**). Among furrow, overhead sprinkler, microsprinkler, and drip irrigation, there are a variety of management choices that may strongly affect propagule dispersion, induction of germination, biofilm formation, penetration and survival of each specific group of pathogens. For the oomycetes and bacteria associated to aerial plant organs, due to their strong dependency on free water and high humidity, drip irrigation might be the appropriate choice. Among the true fungi, the effects of the irrigation system and management differ, and species of dry and wet spores respond distinctly to each individual method. In some groups, such as the Erysiphales, free water may hamper disease progress. Nematodes and oomycetes need free water in the soil to be actively distributed in the crop. Viruses, accompanying their vectors, can be controlled by sprinkle irrigation water, which disrupts the contact of the insect with the plant. The knowledge of the causal agent and of the disease epidemiological components is essential when deciding the type of irrigation, frequency and water volume to be applied to manage one particular plant disease and is key to achieve good yields and high product quality.

**Conflict of interest**

**Author details**

Adalberto C. Café-Filho1

The authors state no conflict of interest.

1 University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil

2 Embrapa Vegetable Crops, Brasília, Brazil

\*Address all correspondence to: cafefilh@unb.br

\*, Carlos Alberto Lopes2

contact to the ground, as in processing tomato fields. Exceptions may exist for all groups.

**Figure 1.** Schematic representation of irrigation methods which benefit disease development according to the plant pathogen group and affected plant organ. Furrow irrigation is conducive for oomycetes when aerial plant parts are in

and Maurício Rossato<sup>1</sup>

Management of Plant Disease Epidemics with Irrigation Practices

http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.78253

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**Figure 1.** Schematic representation of irrigation methods which benefit disease development according to the plant pathogen group and affected plant organ. Furrow irrigation is conducive for oomycetes when aerial plant parts are in contact to the ground, as in processing tomato fields. Exceptions may exist for all groups.
