Project Number: 5358-22000-039-04
Project Type: Specific Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Sep 15, 2011
End Date: Sep 30, 2013

Objective:
1. Parameter estimation of transmission rates and dispersal kernels for foliar Phytophthora spp. on Rhododendron in nursery settings. 2. Development and validation of spatially-explicit epidemiological model for invasion within nurseries to screen potential management scenarios. 3. Evaluation of different management scenarios for control of P. ramorum in nursery settings.

Approach:
Work will include controlled, replicated experiments for both Phytophthora species. We propose to use a combination of small-scale ‘challenge experiments’ with which to estimate transmission probabilities, percolation thresholds and incubation periods that are then used to parameterize models from which to predict efficient methods for control. The challenge experiments will be complemented by population experiments to test and modify the model predictions for invasion and disease control.