Mathematical modeling of cotton leaf curl virus with respect to environmental factors

Eur J Microbiol Immunol (Bp). 2015 Jun 18;5(2):172-6. doi: 10.1556/1886.2015.00012. eCollection 2015 Jun.

Abstract

This study mathematically correlates incidence of cotton leaf curl virus (CLCuV), environmental factors (i.e., rainfall, humidity and temperature), and silverleaf whitefly population in agricultural system of Pakistan. It has been concluded that the disease is directly linked with rainfall and humidity. The third most influential factor in defining CLCuV incidence is the vector population, which is also strictly dependent upon monthly mean temperature of Pakistan. Developed mathematical interrelation is capable of predicting disease incidence of future months. Therefore, it will help agriculturists to control disease in agricultural areas of Pakistan. It is strongly advised on the basis of current research that vector population controlling practices should be immediately applied after detecting small elevations in mean monthly temperature.

Keywords: Pearson’s coefficient; correlation; cosine wave; disease incidence; meteorological model; sine wave.