LESSON 6 PLANT-DISEASE EPIDEMIOLOGY (ELEMENTS OF AN EPIDEMIC)

Epidemiology- is the study of disease development in plant populations. It takes into account all the
factors involved in disease production:
a) Plant susceptibility
b) Pathogen virulence
c) The duration and intensity of the various environmental factors
d) Time
e) Presence of vectors, and
f) Intervention of measures by man

Epidemic
- widespread, explosive disease outbreak (layman’s viewpoint)
- an increase in disease incidence within the plant population with time.

Epiphytotics- refers to epidemics of plant disease.

Endemic disease- one that is native or indigenous to a particular place.

Exotic disease- which has been introduced from some other area.

Both endemic and exotic can develop into explosive epidemics.

Pandemic disease – one of worldwide or widespread occurrence throughout a continent or a region.

Sporadic disease are those that occur at irregular intervals.

Factors affecting the development of epidemics

The occurrence of an epidemic requires that susceptible plants at a susceptible stage be exposed
to abundant viable inoculum of a virulent pathogen during favorable environmental conditions for
pathogen multiplication, infection and dissemination.

Analysis of epidemics

The increase in the amount of disease at any one time is dependent on the following:
a) initial amount of disease or initial inoculum,
b) the rate of disease increase,
c) the duration of disease increase or the period of time involved.