Effect of insecticide spraying on Jatropha curcas plant to control mosaic virus: a mathematical study

Abstract

Jatropha curcas L. is one of the wonder plant with a variety of applications and economic potentiality. Biodiesel, an alternative fuel from non-edible oil of Jatropha curcas plants, is significantly considered as an alternative fuel to diesel oil as it has the anticipated physicochemical and environment friendly characteristics compared to diesel. To get oil from Jatropha curcas plant quantitatively and qualitatively, proper plantation and protection of this plant, mainly from virus carrying vector (white-fly), is essential. In this research article, an epidemic model is formulated for Jatropha curcas plant, which describes the vector-borne diseases with the aim to control the effect of vectors i.e., white-fly on the spread of mosaic disease. The reliability of the mathematical model is established by sensitivity analysis. Here, spraying of an insecticide (Insecticidal Soap) is considered to prevent vector white-fly in two avenues viz. continuous and impulsive strategy. The objective is to find the suitable and effective method that can serve as an integrating measure to identify and design appropriate plant disease control strategies. Numerical simulations are employed to support the analytical results.