High levels of auto-infection in plant pathogens favour short latent periods: a theoretical approach
Authored by den Berg F van, S Gaucel, C Lannou, C A Gilligan, den Bosch F van
Date Published: 2013
DOI: 10.1007/s10682-012-9602-2
Sponsors:
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)
Platforms:
No platforms listed
Model Documentation:
ODD
Flow charts
Pseudocode
Mathematical description
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Abstract
Auto-infection (infection arising from inoculum produced on the same
host unit) is common in polycyclic plant pathogens, but often neglected
in experimental and theoretical studies, which focus instead on
infection of new hosts (allo-infection). Here we test the hypothesis
that high auto-infection, as observed for leaf infecting fungal
pathogens, could select for short latent periods. An individual-based
simulation model keeps track of lesions, resulting from the spread of
spores, between and within individual leaves. Linked to a trade-off
between latent period and spore production capacity, as observed for
Puccinia triticina on wheat, the adaptation of the latent period is
analysed for different levels of auto-infection using the methods of
pairwise invasibility plots. Results suggest that increased
auto-infection selects for reduced latent periods. A reduction in leaf
longevity also selects for reduced latent periods, which is most obvious
for a relatively low ratio of auto- to allo-infection. This study is the
first to consider the effect of auto-infection on the evolution of
pathogen life history traits. The fact that auto-infection could
drastically reduce pathogen latent periods highlights the need for more
research in this area.
Tags
Evolution
Dispersal
Trade-off
Wheat leaf rust
F-sp tritici
Cultivar mixtures
Uredospore production
Disease management
Puccinia-triticina
Aggressiveness