Diurnal Release of Airborne Pathogen Spores in Greenhouses via the Synergistic Effects of Relative Humidity and Wind
In greenhouses, cucumber and vegetable diseases spread explosively due to the combined effects of changing humidity and wind. This research reveals that when humidity drops during the day, fungal spores shrink and detach from diseased leaves through jerking movements. Even gentle wind can carry these detached spores to healthy nearby plants, causing rapid disease spread. By understanding this mechanism, farmers can implement better disease control by managing humidity and ventilation strategically.