Title: Modelling and analysis of plant-virus interaction in the synergistic co-infection of plants

Speaker: Américo Matusse (CMUC, University of Coimbra & University Eduardo Mondlane, Maputo, Mozambique)

Date: Friday, November 22, 2024, 2:00 pm

Local: UMinho, Gualtar Campus, Seminar Room

Zoom: https://videoconf-colibri.zoom.us/j/95035654974

Group: Analysis and Applications

Abstract:  Plants and crops are repeatedly defied by pathogens during their lifespan, causing diseases with a negative impact on the host fitness. In particular, pathogens have caused drastic yield reductions in several important crops. The majority of plants and crops can be infected by two or more unrelated viruses, leading to more severe symptoms, such as in the case of Maize Lethal Necrosis Disease (MLND) as a synergistic co-infection of Maize Chlorotic Mottle Virus (MCMV) and a potyvirus like the Sugarcane Mozaic Virus (ScMV). In this talk, we focus on modelling, analysis, and simulations of MLND. A theoretical analysis shows that different equilibria and thresholds exist driving the dynamics of the MLND system. We illustrate our results through numerical simulations and discuss potential control methods. We then allow the vector dispersal by incorporating linear diffusion into the vector population. We present some theoretical results on the existence of traveling wave solution and we illustrate it numerically. We discuss the consequences of these traveling waves in terms of crop protection.