Repository logo
 

Modelling interference between vectors of non-persistently transmitted plant viruses to identify effective control strategies.

Published version
Peer-reviewed

Type

Article

Change log

Abstract

Aphids are the primary vector of plant viruses. Transient aphids, which probe several plants per day, are considered to be the principal vectors of non-persistently transmitted (NPT) viruses. However, resident aphids, which can complete their life cycle on a single host and are affected by agronomic practices, can transmit NPT viruses as well. Moreover, they can interfere both directly and indirectly with transient aphids, eventually shaping plant disease dynamics. By means of an epidemiological model, originally accounting for ecological principles and agronomic practices, we explore the consequences of fertilization and irrigation, pesticide deployment and roguing of infected plants on the spread of viral diseases in crops. Our results indicate that the spread of NPT viruses can be i) both reduced or increased by fertilization and irrigation, depending on whether the interference is direct or indirect; ii) counter-intuitively increased by pesticide application and iii) reduced by roguing infected plants. We show that a better understanding of vectors' interactions would enhance our understanding of disease transmission, supporting the development of disease management strategies.

Description

Funder: Canceropôle PACA


Funder: Avignon Université

Keywords

Animals, Aphids, Crops, Agricultural, Insect Control, Insect Vectors, Plant Diseases, Plant Viruses

Journal Title

PLoS Comput Biol

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

1553-734X
1553-7358

Volume Title

17

Publisher

Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Sponsorship
The PhD grant to M.Z. is funded by the PACA (Provence-Alpes-Côtes d’Azur) region and INRAE Agroècosistèmes department. M.Z. thanks Avignon Université for the Bourse Perdiguier, which supports her temporary stay at the University of Cambridge.