Development of prediction models for the management of rapeseed-mustard diseases-Current scenario

Abstract

An epidemic is the progress of disease in time and space. each epidemic has a structure whose temporal dynamics, and spatial patterns are jointly determined by the pathosystem characteristics, and environmental conditions. One of the important objectives in epidemiology is to understand such spatio-temporal dynamics via mathematical and statistical modelling. Knowledge of epidemiology and forecasting provides the basic information to develop efficient and workable plant disease control methods. The various weather variables such as temperature (T), relative humidity (RH), rainfall, wind velocity and direction, leaf wetness duration, and solar radiation influence different parameters of infection process, and disease development. Interaction between these weather variables (independent variables) and disease development (dependent variables) pave the way for the development of the prediction models. The average productivity of rapeseed-mustard, an important oil seed crop in India, is quite low due to infection by several diseases such as Alternaria blight (Alternaria brassicae) white rust (Albugo candida), downy mildew (Hyaloperonospora parasitica), powdery mildew (Erysiphe cruciferarum), and white or Sclerotinia stem rot (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum). These diseases are being managed through chemical fungicides, but the efficiency of control measures depends upon the interaction between pathogen and host, which is influenced by environmental factors. Prediction models developed for the management of important diseases of rapeseedmustard are discussed here. Development of alternaria blight is favoured by tmax of 20–25OC, tmin of 15OC, rhmor > 90% and rheve > 50%. For white rust, tave of >15OC and rh >65% with intermittent rains proved most effective for disease development. Similarly, for downy mildew, a T range of 15–20OC with high rh was considered optimal for its progress. Leaf wetness duration of 4–6 h at 20OC and 6–8 h at 15OC is essential to initiate the downy mildew infection. stag-head due to mixed infection of downy mildew and white rust is favoured by a t 20OC with high RH. A reduced period of sunshine (2–6 h/d) with rainfall up to 161 mm during flowering favours the stag-head formation. Powdery mildew development is favoured by t range of 16–28OC, mean rh 80%), Tmax up to 25OC and tmin of 5–12OC. Often prediction models developed at one location may not fit at other locations. It indicates that data need to be generated for a longer period and the model be tested at multilocations. For greater efficiency, the disease-forecasting models must be developed by taking into account the crop variety, the prevalence of a particular pathotype and the microclimatic factors.