Mathematical Biology Tackles Destructive Plant Virus

Plant diseases pose a big threat to global food security as more than millions of people depend completely on plant harvests. Fighting against such a problem gets more difficult for the under developed and developing countries. To find a cure to this problem, researchers have experimented using mathematics to find a solution.

A team of researchers at the National Institute of Mathematical and Biological synthesis has used mathematical modeling to understand the dynamics of a plant disease. The results have been published in the journal Phytopathology. Their work will now help management systems of various organizations to control other destructive plant diseases caused by combination of Pathogens.

The study majorly targets a disease named maize lethal necrosis in Kenya where crop loss rate is very high and infected corn plants die prematurely. Using mathematical modeling, the study has found that a combination of rotating cops, controlling insects, and using virus free seeds can provide the best disease control.

Content: www.sciencedaily.com