On synergistic co-infection in crop diseases. The case of the maize lethal necrosis disease

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Authors

Chapwanya, Michael
Matusse, A.
Dumont, Yves

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Publisher

Elsevier

Abstract

Crops are often subject to intense attacks by pests and diseases. Among them, Maize Lethal Necrosis (MLN) is a serious disease that impact maize crops in many Southern countries. It results from the synergistic interaction of two plant viruses, transmitted by two vectors. In this paper, we develop a general deterministic epidemic model of crop-vector-borne disease for synergistic co-infection, with a particular focus on MLN disease. A theoretical analysis shows that different thresholds exists that drive the dynamics of the system: the well known basic reproduction numbers and also invasion reproduction numbers. The latter are essential for the emergence or not of the MLN disease. After a global sensitivity analysis, we illustrate our results through numerical simulations and discuss potential control methods such as vector control and roguing.

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Keywords

Maize lethal necrosis (MLN), Vector-borne plant disease, Co-infection, Synergistic interaction, Invasion reproduction number, Sensitivity analysis, Numerical simulations

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Citation

Chapwanya, M., Matusse, A. & Dumont, Y. 2021, 'On synergistic co-infection in crop diseases. The case of the maize lethal necrosis disease', Applied Mathematical Modelling, vol. 90, pp. 912-942.