An Agent-Based Metapopulation Model Simulating Virus-Based Biocontrol of Heterodera glycines

Authored by Safyre Anderson, Chinmay Soman, Sadia Bekal, Leslie Domier, Kris Lambert, Kaustubh Bhalerao

Date Published: 2018

DOI: 10.21307/jofnem-2018-002

Sponsors: United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) United States National Science Foundation (NSF)

Platforms: No platforms listed

Model Documentation: Other Narrative Flow charts

Model Code URLs: Model code not found

Abstract

With recently discovered soybean cyst nematode (SCN) viruses, biological control of the nematodes is a theoretical possibility. This study explores the question of what kinds of viruses would make useful biocontrol agents, taking into account evolutionary and population dynamics. An agent-based model, Soybean Cyst Nematode Simulation (SCNSim), was developed to simulate within-host virulence evolution in a virus-nematode-soybean ecosystem. SCNSim was used to predict nematode suppression under a range of viral mutation rates, initial virulences, and release strategies. The simulation model suggested that virus-based biocontrol worked best when the nematodes were inundated with the viruses. Under lower infection prevalence, the viral burden thinned out rapidly due to the limited mobility and high reproductive rate of the SCN. In accordance with the generally accepted trade-off theory, SCNSim predicted the optimal initial virulence for the maximum nematode suppression. Higher initial virulence resulted in shorter lifetime transmission, whereas viruses with lower initial virulence values evolved toward avirulence. SCNSim also indicated that a greater viral mutation rate reinforced the virulence pathotype, suggesting the presence of a virulence threshold necessary to achieve biocontrol against SCN.

Tags

Malaria numerical model Biological control Heterodera glycines Host-parasitic relationship Soybean cyst nematode Virulence evolution