Contrasting plant height can improve the control of rain-borne diseases in wheat cultivar mixture: modelling splash dispersal in 3-D canopies

摘要: Background and Aims Growing cultivars differing by their disease resistance level together (cultivar mixtures) can reduce the propagation of diseases. Although architectural characteristics are little considered in mixture design, they could have an effect on disease, particular through spore dispersal rain splash, which occurs over short distances. The objective this work was to assess impact plant height wheat mixtures splash Zymoseptoria tritici, causes septoria tritici leaf blotch. Methods We used a modelling approach involving explicit description canopy architecture processes. model computed raindrop interception virtual as well production, transport droplets carrying inoculum. designed 3-D canopies composed susceptible resistant plants, according field measurements at flowering stage. In numerical experiments, we tested different heights making up binary influence trait patterns spore-carrying droplets. Key Results Inoculum decreased exponentially with relative main inoculum source (lower diseased leaves plants), intercepted further than 40 cm above source. Consequently, tall plants less smaller ones. Plants twice standard 33 % plants. cases when suscpeptible doubled, higher. This physical barrier droplet trajectories reduced modulated differences between mixture. Conclusions These results suggest that effects be adequate choice cultivars. particular, even small dispersal.