Award details

Modelling approaches with applications to modelling dispersal and gene flow in populations

Reference	BBS/E/C/00004198
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Dr Frank van den Bosch
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors	Professor Robin Thompson
Institution	Rothamsted Research
Department	Rothamsted Research Department
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	192,601
Status	Completed
Type	Institute Project
Start date	01/04/1999
End date	31/03/2004
Duration	60 months

Abstract

This project develops modelling approaches to understand and quantify biological systems with a focus on population dynamics and epidemiology. The modelling approaches are applied to aspects of weed and crop science, plant pathology and insect/nematode population dynamics. Crop ecology: A. There is much public concern about genetically modified crops. Using several modelling approaches we can shed light on possible problems related to the introduction of modified crops lines. We study the effect of transgene induced life-history changes on invasion and persistence of crops as weedy or feral populations. B. Cultivation can disperse seeds, either horizontally or vertically. The effects of this dispersal on weed dynamics is not well studied. Models are being developed to calculate horizontal cultivation dispersal. Cultivation and crop rotation affect weed growth. A model will be developed to study the interactions between seed movement, rotation and weed dynamics. C. Spider dispersal dynamics. The aim is to develop predictive models of spider dispersal over time which can be used to investigate the effect of different land management strategies. Theoretical plant pathology: Several theoretical aspects underpinning plant pathological research are studied in this project. A. To reduce disease damage in crops resistant cultivars are used. Pathogens can become virulent again to a resistant cultivars. Models will be developed to study this virulence dynamics. B. The net-reproductive number is a measure of the aggressiveness of a disease. Methods will be developed to model and calculate the net reproductive number in complex patho-systems. C. The population dynamics of virus-vector systems will be studied.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Closed Committee - Agri-food (AF)
Research Topics	X – not assigned to a current Research Topic
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	X - not in an Initiative
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

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