The virtual plant: a new tool for the study and management of plant diseases

Computer software is now available for modelling the three-dimensional growth of plants. Visualisation of such models allows for representation and quantification of physical parameters which in the past have been too difficult to measure. Such 'virtual plants' will help phytopathologists to model disease dynamics and epidemiology by providing a better visual perception of a pathogen's interaction with a growing plant. This article gives an introduction to the concept of virtual plants, develops and applies a virtual plant model to quantify the impact of anthracnose disease on the tropical pasture legume, Stylosanthes scabra and briefly outlines the potential applications of virtual plants to study the epidemiology and management of plant diseases. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.