Long-distance wind-dispersal of spores in a fungal plant pathogen: estimation of anisotropic dispersal kernels from an extensive field experiment

PLoS One. 2014 Aug 12;9(8):e103225. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0103225. eCollection 2014.

Abstract

Given its biological significance, determining the dispersal kernel (i.e., the distribution of dispersal distances) of spore-producing pathogens is essential. Here, we report two field experiments designed to measure disease gradients caused by sexually- and asexually-produced spores of the wind-dispersed banana plant fungus Mycosphaerella fijiensis. Gradients were measured during a single generation and over 272 traps installed up to 1000 m along eight directions radiating from a traceable source of inoculum composed of fungicide-resistant strains. We adjusted several kernels differing in the shape of their tail and tested for two types of anisotropy. Contrasting dispersal kernels were observed between the two types of spores. For sexual spores (ascospores), we characterized both a steep gradient in the first few metres in all directions and rare long-distance dispersal (LDD) events up to 1000 m from the source in two directions. A heavy-tailed kernel best fitted the disease gradient. Although ascospores distributed evenly in all directions, average dispersal distance was greater in two different directions without obvious correlation with wind patterns. For asexual spores (conidia), few dispersal events occurred outside of the source plot. A gradient up to 12.5 m from the source was observed in one direction only. Accordingly, a thin-tailed kernel best fitted the disease gradient, and anisotropy in both density and distance was correlated with averaged daily wind gust. We discuss the validity of our results as well as their implications in terms of disease diffusion and management strategy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • Ascomycota
  • Fungi*
  • Models, Statistical
  • Plant Diseases / microbiology
  • Plants / microbiology*
  • Spores, Fungal*
  • Wind*

Grants and funding

AR conducted this work during his PhD, which was supported by a CIFRE doctoral fellowship from Bayer CropScience. The funder provided support in the form of salaries for author AM, but did not have any additional role in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. The specific roles of these authors are articulated in the “author contributions” section. This work was also supported by the Agence Nationale de la Recherche et de la Technologie (ANRT-123/2008); the Agence Nationale de la Recherche (ANR 07-BDIV-003/Emerfundis, and ANR 09-BLAN-0145-01/EMILE); a Europaid contract ATF/UE- N°146-762/786/798/801; and a European Research Council (ERC, grant number 260801). These funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.