VIEW ARTICLE

Techniques

Development of a Demographic Growth Model for Uncinula necator by Using a Microcomputer Spreadsheet Program. Daniel O. Chellemi, Former postgraduate researcher, Plant Pathology Department, University of California, Davis 95616, Present address: University of Florida, IFAS North Florida Research and Education Center, Rt 3, Box 4370, Quincy 32351; James J. Marois, Associate professor, Plant Pathology Department, University of California, Davis 95616. Phytopathology 81:250-254. Accepted for publication 9 October 1990. Copyright 1991 The American Phytopathological Society. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-81-250.

A demographic model simulating population growth of a plant pathogenic fungus was created by using a microcomputer spreadsheet program. The model was based on the age-specific survival and fecundity rates for Uncinula necator and was used to examine the effects of various environmental factors and disease control strategies on population growth over a 30-day period. Simulation results are used to illustrate the potential benefits from the application of spreadsheet programs to epidemiologic modeling. Techniques were presented to enable the reader to recreate this or other simulation models based on age-specific survival and fecundity.