Monitoring long-distance spore dispersal by wind-a review

Abstract

Collection of meaningful data on long distance dispersal (LDD) of plant pathogens is very difficult because such events are very rare, and the strength and locations of pathogen sources are often unknown, This review of the different methods that have been deployed examines combinations of meteorological analyses and ground surveys, including spore trapping devices, collecting rainwater and identifying spores using real-time PCR. The relevance of these techniques is discussed in the context of surveillance and monitoring trans-Tasman dispersal of fungal spores.