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Application of the diffusion equation for modelling splash dispersal of point‐source pathogens
Author(s) -
YANG XIUSHENG,
MADDEN LAURENCE V.,
BRAZEE ROSS D.
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
new phytologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.742
H-Index - 244
eISSN - 1469-8137
pISSN - 0028-646X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1469-8137.1991.tb00980.x
Subject(s) - splash , biological dispersal , diffusion , point source , diffusion equation , diffusion process , environmental science , biological system , physics , biology , computer science , meteorology , optics , thermodynamics , population , knowledge management , demography , economy , innovation diffusion , sociology , economics , service (business)
summary A model of splash dispersal of point‐source pathogens is developed and parameterized from experimental data of Colletotrichum acutatum , the cause of strawberry anthracnose. Starting with analysis on a probability density function of a sum of random displacement vectors, the model turned out to be the fundamental solution of the classic diffusion equation. Model parameters were determined for three ground covers (plastic, soil, and straw) and two rain intensities (15 and 30 mm h −1 ). The nonlinear coefficient of determination varied from 0.80 to 0.96, indicating that the application of the diffusion equation is promising in modelling of splash dispersal processes from a point source over a homogeneous ground cover.