Mathematical modelling for sustainable aphid control in agriculture via intercropping.
Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Allen-Perkins A
PROVIDER: S-EPMC6598064 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jun
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Publications
Mathematical modelling for sustainable aphid control in agriculture via intercropping.
Allen-Perkins Alfonso A Estrada Ernesto E
Proceedings. Mathematical, physical, and engineering sciences 20190619 2226
Agricultural losses to pests represent an important challenge in a global warming scenario. Intercropping is an alternative farming practice that promotes pest control without the use of chemical pesticides. Here, we develop a mathematical model to study epidemic spreading and control in intercropped agricultural fields as a sustainable pest management tool for agriculture. The model combines the movement of aphids transmitting a virus in an agricultural field, the spatial distribution of plants ...[more]
Similar Datasets
Project description:Using ChIP-seq experiment, find the downstream genes and binding motif of NGR2.
2018-08-15 | GSE114287 | GEO
Project description:In this paper, we develop a mathematical model for the spread and control of the coronavirus disease. An outbreak of COVID-19 has led to more than one million confirmed cases as of April 3rd, 2020. Understanding the early spread dynamics of the infection and evaluating the effectiveness of control measures is crucial for assessing the potential for sustained transmission to occur in new areas. Combining a mathematical model of severe COVID-19 spread with four datasets from within and outside of Wuhan, China; it is estimated how spread in Wuhan varied between January and February 2020. It is used these estimates to assess the potential for sustained human-to-human spread to occur in locations outside Wuhan if disease holders were introduced. It is combined SEIR framework model with data on cases of COVID-19 in China and International cases that originated in Wuhan to estimate how spread had varied over time during January and February 2020. Based on these estimates, it is calculated the probability that freshly introduced cases might produce outbreaks in other regions. Also, it is calculated approximately the median day by day basic reproduction number in Wuhan, refused from 2·45 (95% CI: 1·16-4·87) one week before travel restrictions were introduced on Jan 23rd, 2020, to 1.05 (0·42-2·40) one week after. Based on our estimates of, presumptuous SARS approximating disparity, it is computed that in locations with a similar spread potential to Wuhan in near the beginning of January, some time ago there are at least four independently set up cases, there is a more than fifty percent chance the infection will found within those inhabitants. COVID-19 spreading probably refused in Wuhan during delayed January 2020, corresponding with the prologue of voyage control channels. As more cases arrive in international locations with similar spread potential to Wuhan, before these organize measures, it is likely many chains of spread will fail to create initially but might lead to innovative outbreaks ultimately.
| S-EPMC7441022 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Ecological intensification of cropping systems aims at restoring multi-functionality while supporting current productivity levels. Intercropping is a form of ecological intensification involving ecological processes beneficial to farmers that do not take place in monocultures. Thus, it represents a practical approach to decrease the use of synthetic inputs such as insecticides in cultivated systems. Whereas insecticide reduction via intercropping-facilitated suppression of aphids is reported in literature, the majority of published studies focussed on herbaceous crops. Thus, the effect of intercropping on aphid populations of cultivated trees remains largely unaddressed. In this study we hypothesized that intercropping a specific companion plant within perennial crops would divert ant attendance from an aphid attacking the crop to another aphid feeding on the newly introduced plant, reducing aphid damage on the crop. We tested our hypothesis in the system of apple (Malus domestica Borkhausen), the rosy apple aphid (Dysaphis plantaginea Passerini) and the black garden ant (Lasius niger L.). Bean plants (Vicia faba) with the black bean aphid (Aphis fabae Scopoli) were intercropped within apple trees inoculated with D. plantaginea. We measured ant attendance, aphid development and survival as well as honeydew composition on both plant species through semi-field and field experiments. The majority of ants chose to attend A. fabae over D. plantaginea in the semi-field experiment with potted plants. In the orchard, a larger majority of scouts were scored on A. fabae over D. plantaginea. A higher number of D. plantaginea colonies remained active in the apple control, whilst they were almost eradicated by intercropping. Although chemical analyses of honeydew disclosed differences in the carbohydrate and amino acid profiles between aphid species, the difference in honeydew composition did not explain the preference for A. fabae. Ants did not discriminate between the two honeydew mimics both in laboratory and field bioassays. Our results showed the potential of intercropping apple trees with beans as a method to reduce ant attendance and thus colony survival. We propose that intercropping represents a bottom-up approach towards ecological intensification of perennial crops. Together with other ecosystem-based measures such as habitat management, intercropping should be considered when planning ecosystem redesign to increase biological control of pests.
| S-EPMC7237440 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), commonly known as sleeping sickness, is a neglected tropical vector-borne disease caused by trypanosome protozoa. It is transmitted by bites of infected tsetse fly. In this paper, we first present the vector-host model which describes the general transmission dynamics of HAT. In the tsetse fly population, the HAT is modelled by three compartments, while in the human population, the HAT is modelled by four compartments. The next-generation matrix approach is used to derive the basic reproduction number, R 0, and it is also proved that if R 0 ? 1, the disease-free equilibrium is globally asymptotically stable, which means the disease dies out. The disease persists in the population if the value of R 0 > 1. Furthermore, the optimal control model is determined by using the Pontryagin's maximum principle, with control measures such as education, treatment, and insecticides used to optimize the objective function. The model simulations confirm that the use of the three control measures is very efficient and effective to eliminate HAT in Africa.
| S-EPMC6282183 | biostudies-other
Project description:As global health care demand continues to increase, medicinal plant productivity must progress without exhausting critical environmental resources. Hence, it is important to explore practices that can improve the quality, safety, and sustainability of medicinal plants, as well as ecological stability. Organic farming has recently gained significance as a sustainable cultivation alternative owing to increased awareness of the adverse effects of conventional cultivation method. Here, this study aimed to investigate the feasibility of organic farming as a solution for sustainable cultivation of medicinal plants from multiple perspectives and long-term benefits to the environment. Organic agricultural practices of medicinal plants were evaluated from a multi-dimensional perspective (environment, economy, and society) using extensive research data and literature and field surveys. Data from medicinal plant cultivation in Inner Mongolia were acquired for 76 sites from four data stations between 2014 and 2021. Data analysis revealed that organic medicinal plants can improve safety by reducing pesticide exposure risks. Simultaneously, organic agriculture of medicinal plants can improve biodiversity by effectively reducing pesticide and fertilizer use, which also provides natural safe products for health care. With the improvement of quality, the retail price will have a certain advantage, which will improve the income of farmers. Moreover, organic agriculture enhanced profitability because of the higher organic premium on medicinal plant products and improved ecosystem stability by increasing plant diversity. The findings of this study suggest that organic cultivation strategies can improve the quality and safety of medicinal plants and further provide a basis for promoting the sustainable development and ecological stability of medicinal plants. However, not all medicinal plant cultivators are guaranteed to adopt organic farming practices, but if all technological elements are correctly applied, the system can be maintained sustainably to expand the area of organically cultivated plants in the future.
| S-EPMC9562643 | biostudies-literature
Project description:IntroductionPlasmodium knowlesi is now recognised as a leading cause of malaria in Malaysia. As humans come into increasing contact with the reservoir host (long-tailed macaques) as a consequence of deforestation, assessing the potential for a shift from zoonotic to sustained P. knowlesi transmission between humans is critical.MethodsA multi-host, multi-site transmission model was developed, taking into account the three areas (forest, farm, and village) where transmission is thought to occur. Latin hypercube sampling of model parameters was used to identify parameter sets consistent with possible prevalence in macaques and humans inferred from observed data. We then explore the consequences of increasing human-macaque contact in the farm, the likely impact of rapid treatment, and the use of long-lasting insecticide-treated nets (LLINs) in preventing wider spread of this emerging infection.ResultsIdentified model parameters were consistent with transmission being sustained by the macaques with spill over infections into the human population and with high overall basic reproduction numbers (up to 2267). The extent to which macaques forage in the farms had a non-linear relationship with human infection prevalence, the highest prevalence occurring when macaques forage in the farms but return frequently to the forest where they experience higher contact with vectors and hence sustain transmission. Only one of 1,046 parameter sets was consistent with sustained human-to-human transmission in the absence of macaques, although with a low human reproduction number (R(0H) = 1.04). Simulations showed LLINs and rapid treatment provide personal protection to humans with maximal estimated reductions in human prevalence of 42% and 95%, respectively.ConclusionThis model simulates conditions where P. knowlesi transmission may occur and the potential impact of control measures. Predictions suggest that conventional control measures are sufficient at reducing the risk of infection in humans, but they must be actively implemented if P. knowlesi is to be controlled.
| S-EPMC4109903 | biostudies-literature
Project description:ObjectivesAlmost 20% of people smoke tobacco worldwide--a percentage projected to rise in many poor countries. Smoking has been linked to increased individual risk of tuberculosis infection and mortality, but it remains unclear how these risks affect population-wide tuberculosis rates.DesignWe constructed a state transition, compartmental, mathematical model of tuberculosis epidemics to estimate the impact of alternative future smoking trends on tuberculosis control. We projected tuberculosis incidence, prevalence, and mortality in each World Health Organization region from 2010 to 2050, and incorporated changing trends in smoking, case detection, treatment success, and HIV prevalence.ResultsThe model predicted that smoking would produce an excess of 18 million tuberculosis cases (standard error 16-20) and 40 million deaths from tuberculosis (39-41) between 2010 and 2050, if smoking trends continued along current trajectories. The effect of smoking was anticipated to increase the number of tuberculosis cases by 7% (274 million v 256 million) and deaths by 66% (101 million v 61 million), compared with model predictions that did not account for smoking. Smoking was also expected to delay the millennium development goal target to reduce tuberculosis mortality by half from 1990 to 2015. The model estimated that aggressive tobacco control (achieving a 1% decrease in smoking prevalence per year down to eradication) would avert 27 million smoking attributable deaths from tuberculosis by 2050. However, if the prevalence of smoking increased to 50% of adults (as observed in countries with high tobacco use), the model estimated that 34 million additional deaths from tuberculosis would occur by 2050.ConclusionsTobacco smoking could substantially increase tuberculosis cases and deaths worldwide in coming years, undermining progress towards tuberculosis mortality targets. Aggressive tobacco control could avert millions of deaths from tuberculosis.
| S-EPMC3186817 | biostudies-literature
Project description:In this study, bio-based carbon nanospheres (CNSs) were synthesized from lignocellulosic-rich groundnut skin (Arachis hypogaea) and tested for their practical application in nanofluids (NFs) for enhanced heat transfer. The CNSs were characterized using various techniques, including FESEM, EDS, XRD, Raman spectroscopy, zeta potential analysis, and FTIR. Thermal conductivity (TC) and viscosity measurements were conducted using transient plane source (TPS) technique with a Hot Disk thermal analyser and discovery hybrid rheometer, respectively. The nanoparticles (NPs) were dispersed in two base fluids: ethylene glycol (EG) and a 60 : 40 mixture of deionized water (DI) and EG. Optimization studies were performed by varying the stirring and measurement times to improve TC values. The results showed that when a power source of 40 mW was applied at a high concentration of nanoparticles (i.e., 0.1 wt%), there was a 91.9% increment in thermal conductivity (TC) compared to the base fluid EG. DI-EG-based nanofluids (NFs) exhibited enhancements of up to 45% compared to the base fluid DI-EG (60 : 40), with a heating power of 80 mW and concentration of 0.1 wt%. These results demonstrated significant TC improvements with NP incorporation. Further experiments were performed by varying the temperature in the range of 30-80 °C with readings taken for every 10 °C increase, which showed a direct relation with the TC values. At 80 °C, EG-based NFs showed increments of 77%, 111.49%, 139.67% and 175% at 0.01, 0.02, 0.05 and 0.1 wt% concentrations of NPs, respectively. It was also found that with the increase in the concentration of NPs, viscosity increased, whereas an increase in the temperature led to a decrease in viscosity. The CNS nanofluid exhibited a Newtonian behaviour with the nanoparticle concentration and temperature, resulting in an approximately 114% enhancement compared to the base fluid when the concentration of CNSs was 0.1 wt% at 30 °C but decreased by up to 18% when the temperature was increased to 90 °C. Using appropriate mathematical models for assessing thermophysical quantities, it was discovered that the model values and experimental values correspond reasonably well. Our method thus validates our experimental results and deepens the understanding of the mechanisms behind enhancing thermal conductivity in biomass-derived nanofluids. In summary, our work advances sustainable nanomaterial synthesis, providing a new solution for boosting thermal conductivity while maintaining environmental integrity, thereby inspiring further research and innovation in this field.
| S-EPMC11320364 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Enhancing global food security by increasing the productivity of green revolution varieties of cereals risks increasing the collateral environmental damage produced by inorganic nitrogen fertilizers. Improvements in the efficiency of nitrogen use of crops are therefore essential; however, they require an in-depth understanding of the co-regulatory mechanisms that integrate growth, nitrogen assimilation and carbon fixation. Here we show that the balanced opposing activities and physical interactions of the rice GROWTH-REGULATING FACTOR 4 (GRF4) transcription factor and the growth inhibitor DELLA confer homeostatic co-regulation of growth and the metabolism of carbon and nitrogen. GRF4 promotes and integrates nitrogen assimilation, carbon fixation and growth, whereas DELLA inhibits these processes. As a consequence, the accumulation of DELLA that is characteristic of green revolution varieties confers not only yield-enhancing dwarfism, but also reduces the efficiency of nitrogen use. However, the nitrogen-use efficiency of green revolution varieties and grain yield are increased by tipping the GRF4-DELLA balance towards increased GRF4 abundance. Modulation of plant growth and metabolic co-regulation thus enables novel breeding strategies for future sustainable food security and a new green revolution.
| S-EPMC6155485 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Plant-microbiome interactions are significant determinant for plant growth, fitness and productivity. Depending upon the specific habitat, plants' microbial communities are classified as the rhizo-, phyllo-, and endospheric regions. Understanding the plant microbiome interactions could provide an opportunity to develop strategies for sustainable agricultural practices. There is a necessity to decipher the complex structural and functional diversity within plant microbiomes to reveal its immense potential in agriculture. The plant microbiota harbors enormous microbial communities that defy analytical methodologies to study dynamics underlying plant microbiome interactions. Findings based on conventional approaches have ignored many beneficial microbial strains, which creates a serious gap in understanding the microbial communications along with the genetic adaptations, which favors their association with host plant. The new era of next generation sequencing techniques and modern cost-effective high-throughput molecular approaches can decipher microbial community composition and function. In this review, we have presented the overview of the various compartments of plants, approaches to allow the access to microbiome and factors that influence microbial community composition and function. Next, we summarize how plant microbiome interactions modulate host beneficial properties particularly nutrient acquisition and defense, along with future agricultural applications.Supplementary informationThe online version contains supplementary material available at. 10.1007/s12298-021-00927-1.
| S-EPMC7873154 | biostudies-literature