Modelling the key drivers of an aerial Phytophthora foliar disease epidemic, from the needles to the whole plant.

ABSTRACT: Understanding the epidemiology of infectious diseases in a host population is a major challenge in forestry. Radiata pine plantations in New Zealand are impacted by a foliar disease, red needle cast (RNC), caused by Phytophthora pluvialis. This pathogen is dispersed by water splash with polycyclic infection affecting the lower part of the tree canopy. In this study, we extended an SI (Susceptible-Infectious) model presented for RNC to analyse the key epidemiological drivers. We conducted two experiments to empirically fit the extended model: a detached-needle assay and an in vivo inoculation. We used the detached-needle assay data to compare resistant and susceptible genotypes, and the in vivo inoculation data was used to inform sustained infection of the whole plant. We also compared isol

SUBMITTER: Gomez-Gallego M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6538149 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature