What can poorly managed overwintering conditions lead to?

Poorly managed overwintering conditions can lead to higher levels of primary inoculum. This occurs because pathogens, such as fungi, bacteria, or viruses, may survive the winter in a dormant state within infected plant debris or in the soil. When conditions are not adequately managed, such as having high humidity, insufficient sanitation, or the presence of susceptible host plants left unharvested, these pathogens can remain viable and multiply once the weather warms up.

As a result, when the growing season begins, these pathogens can produce and release larger quantities of spores or other infectious agents (the primary inoculum) that can infect new plants. This increases the risk of disease outbreaks in crops, leading to further crop loss and economic impact. Managing overwintering conditions effectively—through practices such as crop rotation, proper sanitation, and controlling host plant residues—can significantly lower the amounts of primary inoculum and reduce the incidence and severity of diseases in the following growing season.