Evaluating the Reliability of Binary Decision Plant Disease Risk Indicators

Students need to be familiar with the different modelling approaches and related terminology. The oomycete Plasmopara viticola, the causal agent of downy mildew, a major disease that occurs on Vitis vinifera worldwide, is presented as a case study. P. viticola is a polycyclic fungal pathogen with primary and secondary infection cycles caused by sexual and asexual spores, respectively. Primary infections are of particular relevance because they are a key factor in disease control and are the basis of several models developed in recent decades in different parts of the world. Students must have a minimum of familiarity with this pathogen in order to understand the different models presented and benefit from the exercise.