Spatial Pattern Analysis of Epidemics of Citrus Bacterial Spot in Florida Citrus Nurseries

Abstract

(...) Disease gradients in one of these nurseries were shallowest within rows to the north, corresponding to mechanical pruning in that direction. Disease gradients from the apparent focus in a second nursery, where little maintenance was performed, were shallowest diagonally across north-south oriented rows, indicating that the predominance of natural spread emanated from a focus both to the northeast and southeast directions. The presence or absence of natural disease spread versus mechanical spread alone was directly related to the aggressiveness of the bacterial strains, presence or absence of copper bactericides, and cultural management