Which two environmental factors strongly influence fungal disease development?

Fungal diseases thrive under specific environmental conditions, and two of the most critical factors influencing their development are temperature and moisture. Fungi reproduce and spread primarily in warm, moist environments.

Moisture is essential for fungal spore germination and growth. When humidity levels are high, the likelihood of fungal infections in plants increases significantly because excess moisture can create a favorable environment for fungal pathogens to establish and flourish.

Temperature also plays a crucial role; different fungi have optimum temperatures at which they thrive. If the temperature aligns well with humidity levels, fungal diseases can spread rapidly and affect plant health.

This combination of adequate moisture and suitable temperature fosters the conditions necessary for fungi to develop and cause disease, making them the key environmental factors in this context.