RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Epidemic network analysis for mitigation of invasive pathogens in seed systems: Potato in Ecuador
JF bioRxiv
FD Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
SP 107367
DO 10.1101/107367
A1 C. E. Buddenhagen
A1 J. F. Hernandez Nopsa
A1 K. F. Andersen
A1 J. Andrade-Piedra
A1 G. A. Forbes
A1 P. Kromann
A1 S. Thomas-Sharma
A1 P. Useche
A1 K. A. Garrett
YR 2017
UL http://biorxiv.org/content/early/2017/07/20/107367.abstract
AB Seed systems have an important role in the distribution of high quality seed and improved varieties. The structure of seed networks also helps to determine the epidemiological risk for seedborne disease. We present a new method for evaluating the epidemiological role of nodes in seed networks, and apply it to a regional potato farmer consortium (CONPAPA) in Ecuador. We surveyed farmers to estimate the structure of networks of farmer seed tuber and ware potato transactions, and farmer information sources about pest and disease management. Then we simulated pathogen spread through seed transaction networks to identify priority nodes for disease detection. The likelihood of pathogen establishment was weighted based on the quality and/or quantity of information sources about disease management. CONPAPA staff and facilities, a market, and certain farms are priorities for disease management interventions, such as training, monitoring and variety dissemination. Advice from agrochemical store staff was common but assessed as significantly less reliable. Farmer access to information (reported number and quality of sources) was similar for both genders. Women had a smaller amount of the market share for seed-tubers and ware potato, however. Understanding seed system networks provides input for scenario analyses to evaluate potential system improvements.