Differential tolerance of Zymoseptoria tritici to altered optimal moisture conditions during the early stages of wheat infection

Foliar plant pathogens require liquid or vapour water for at least part of their development, but response and adaptive tolerance to moisture conditions have been much less studied than other meteorological factors date. We examined the impact altering optimal conducive infection on wheat-Zymoseptoria tritici interaction. assessed responses in planta 48 Z. strains collected two climatologically distinct locations (Ireland Israel) four high regimes differing timing duration uninterrupted exposure saturated relative humidity (100% RH) during first three days infection. Individual- population-level reaction norms expressing how sporulating area a lesion change with RH were established based visual assessments development 14, 17 20 post-inoculation (dpi). Our findings highlighted: (i) critical time-dependent effect periods 100% these earliest stages; (ii) marked interindividual variation sensitivity both terms strain average plasticity; (iii) higher – expressed 14 dpi, not later Israeli population early interruption conditions. By indicating that sub-optimal may vary between individuals populations, this study highlights evidence adaptation signature pathogen. Understanding such is helpful predict pathogen populations changing climatic