A Theoretical Assessment of Methods to Reduce the Spread of Insect Vectored Plant Pathogens

Authors: Sisterson, Mark

Submitted to: Entomological Society of America Annual Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/20/2009
Publication Date: 12/11/2009
Citation: Sisterson, M.S. 2009. A Theoretical Assessment of Methods to Reduce the Spread of Insect Vectored Plant Pathogens. Entomological Society of America Annual Meeting, Dec 11-16, 2009, Indianapolis, IN. Available: http://esa.confex.com/esa/2009/webprogram/Paper39914.html

Interpretive Summary: Many insect vectored plant pathogen systems share several common features. Specifically, insect vectors often prefer habitats outside the affected crop and acquire the pathogen from a non-crop plant host. Inoculative vectors then move into the crop, causing primary pathogen spread. This may or may not be followed by secondary pathogen spread with the crop. In some cases, vector movement into the affected crop may be incidental and in others the vector may reside and reproduce in the crop. A spatially-explicit simulation model was used to evaluate effectiveness of reducing vector populations in the affected crop or the source habitat and removing infected plants from the affected crop or source habitat. Simulations were run under different assumptions about extent of secondary pathogen spread and vector reproduction in the affected crop. The results indicate that the best management strategy depends on assumptions about primary versus secondary pathogen spread and primary reproductive habitat of the vector.

Technical Abstract: Many insect vectored plant pathogen systems share several common features. Specifically, insect vectors often prefer habitats outside the affected crop and acquire the pathogen from a non-crop plant host. Inoculative vectors then move into the crop, causing primary pathogen spread. This may or may not be followed by secondary pathogen spread with the crop. In some cases, vector movement into the affected crop may be incidental and in others the vector may reside and reproduce in the crop. A spatially-explicit simulation model was used to evaluate effectiveness of reducing vector populations in the affected crop or the source habitat and removing infected plants from the affected crop or source habitat. Simulations were run under different assumptions about extent of secondary pathogen spread and vector reproduction in the affected crop. The results indicate that the best management strategy depends on assumptions about primary versus secondary pathogen spread and primary reproductive habitat of the vector.