Understanding the ramifications of quantitative ordinal scales on accuracy of estimates of disease severity and data analysis in plant pathology.

The severity of plant diseases, traditionally defined as the proportion of the plant tissue exhibiting symptoms, is a key quantitative variable to know for many diseases but is prone to error. Plant pathologists face many situations in which the measurement by nearest percent estimates (NPEs) of disease severity is time-consuming or impractical. Moreover, rater NPEs of disease severity are notoriously variable. Therefore, NPEs of disease may be of questionable value if severity cannot be determined accurately and reliably. In such situations, researchers have often used a quantitative ordinal scale of measurement-often alleging the time saved, and the ease with which the scale can be learned. Because quantitative ordinal disease scales lack the resolution of the 0 to 100% scale, they are inherently less accurate. We contend that scale design and structure have ramifications for the resulting analysis of data from the ordinal scale data. To minimize inaccuracy and ensure that there is equivalent statistical power when using quantitative ordinal scale data, design of the scales can be optimized for use in the discipline of plant pathology. In this review, we focus on the nature of quantitative ordinal scales used in plant disease assessment. Subsequently, their application and effects will be discussed. Finally, we will review how to optimize quantitative ordinal scales design to allow sufficient accuracy of estimation while maximizing power for hypothesis testing.

An index for multidimensional assessment of swine health.

Pork accounts for almost one-third of the meat consumed worldwide. Infectious diseases have a marked impact on pig production. Epidemiological indicators are considered the most useful criteria in decision-making; however, a health status assessment remains a challenge at the national and regional levels. This study proposes a health index including herd-losses, morbidity, fatality, and type of diseases, to rate the health situation in a region or country; it contributes to assessing the effectiveness of control, damage manifestation, and trends. It is a multidimensional index with a structure of triads and simple quantitative, semi-quantitative, and qualitative expressions that use flexible and dynamics limits. With it, we analyzed twenty-one countries in 2005-2018, focusing on African swine fever, classical swine fever, foot-mouth-disease, and porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome, diseases that caused 72% of the morbidity. Our multidimensional approach estimates farm, local, and regional impact from infectious agents and outbreaks, and apprises trends aiming to be useful to control measures, strategic actions, and animal health policies.

Validation of a diagrammatic scale for quantification of bacterial leaf blight (causal agent Pseudomonas avenae) in maize / Validação de escala diagramática para quantificação da mancha bacteriana da folha (causada por Pseudomonas avenae) em milho

Bacterial leaf blight occurs in almost the entire Brazilian territory and can cause significant economic damage. However, its effects can be curtailed with the following tools that aid in quantification for carrying out the best severity assessment that can be applied to the studies used in its control. The objective of this study was to develop and validate a diagrammatic scale to quantify the severity of bacterial leaf blight in maize caused by Pseudomonas avenae. Corn leaves were collected with different levels of disease severity, and the total leaf area as well as the injured area of the middle third of each leaf was measured. From this, the minimum and maximum limits of the disease and, subsequently, four intermediate levels were determined whilst taking into account the law of visual stimulus of WeberFechner. Levels 1.5%, 2.5%, 9%, 18%, 46%, and 70% were selected with validation performed by eight evaluators, four inexperienced and four experienced. These evaluators estimated the severity values, initially without the use of the proposed diagrammatic scale and in a second attempt with the use of the scale. We concluded that it was possible to improve the accuracy and precision of the evaluators when they used the scale as a tool to assess the severity of bacterial leaf blight on corn leaves.(AU)

A mancha bacteriana da folha ocorre em praticamente todo o território brasileiro e pode causar perdas econômicas significativas sendo necessárias ferramentas que auxiliem na sua quantificação a fim de realizar melhor avaliação de severidade podendo contribuir em estudos visando seu controle. Diante do exposto, o objetivo deste estudo foi desenvolver e validar a escala diagramática para quantificação da severidade da mancha bacteriana da folha em milho causada por Pseudomonas avenae. Foram coletada folhas de milho apresentando diferentes níveis de severidade da doença, e mediu-se a área foliar total e a área lesionada do terço médio de cada uma das folhas, determinando-se os limites mínimo e máximo da doença, e, posteriormente, os quatro níveis intermediários levando em consideração a lei do estímulo visual de Weber-Fechner. Foram selecionados os níveis 1,5%, 2,5%, 9%, 18%, 46%, e 70%, sendo a validação realizada por oito avaliadores, quatro inexperientes e quatro experientes, que estimaram os valores de severidade inicialmente sem a utilização da escala diagramática proposta, e num segundo momento com a utilização da escala. Conclui-se que foi possível melhorar a acurácia e a precisão dos avaliadores quando estes utilizaram a escala como ferramenta para avaliação de severidade para mancha bacteriana da folha do milho.(AU)

Development and validation of a standard area diagram set to assess powdery mildew severity on watermelon leaves / Desenvolvimento e validação de uma escala diagramática para avaliar a severidade do oídio em folhas de melancia

The development and validation of a standard area diagram set (SADs) was proposed in this study to assess the severity of powdery mildew (Podosphaera xanthii) in watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) leaves. The SADs proposed has twelve levels of severity, varying from 0.07 to 100%. The SADs were validated by 16 raters who had no previous experience in evaluating plant disease severity. Initially, the estimation of severity was performed without the use of the SADs in leaves with different levels of severity. In a second moment, the same raters estimated the disease severity using the SADs proposed. By Lins concordance correlation analysis, there was an improvement in precision (coefficient of correlation, r = 0.878 and r = 0.959, without and with SADs, respectively) and accuracy (bias correction factor, Cb = 0.830 and 0.982, without and with SADs, respectively) using SADs when compared to the non-use of SADs. The agreement (Lins concordance correlation coefficient, c = 0.734 and 0.952 without and with SADs, respectively) also improved using SADs. Severity estimates inter-rater were more reliable when using SADs (coefficient of determination, R2 = 0.681 without and R2 = 0.864 with SADs; Intra-class correlation coefficient, = 0.759 and = 0.928, without and with SADs, respectively). Therefore, SADs improved precision, accuracy and reliability of powdery mildew severity on watermelon leaves.(AU)

Neste estudo foi proposto o desenvolvimento e validação de uma escala diagramática (ED) para avaliar a severidade do oídio (Podosphaera xanthii) em folhas de melancia (Citrullus lanatus). A ED proposta possui 12 níveis de severidade, variando de 0,07 a 100%. A ED foi validada por 16 avaliadores inexperientes em avaliação de severidade de doenças de plantas. Inicialmente, as estimativas de severidade foram realizadas sem o uso da ED em folhas com diferentes níveis de severidade. No segundo momento, os mesmos avaliadores estimaram a severidade da doença usando a ED proposta. Pela análise da correlação concordante de Lin, houve melhoria na precisão (coeficiente de correlação, r = 0,787 e r = 0,959, sem e com o uso da ED, respectivamente) e acurácia (fator de correção do desvio, Cb = 0,830 e 0,982, sem e com o uso da ED, respectivamente) usando a ED quando comparado ao não uso da ED. O coeficiente de correlação concordante de Lin, c = 0,734 e 0,952 sem e com o uso da ED, respectivamente) também melhorou com o uso da ED. As estimativas de severidade tiveram melhoria na reprodutibilidade quando a ED foi usada (coeficiente de determinação, R2=0,681 e R2 = 0,864 sem e com o uso da ED, respectivamente; coeficiente de correlação intra-classe, = 0,759 e = 0,928, sem e com o uso da ED, respectivamente). Portanto, a ED melhorou a precisão, acurácia e reprodutibilidade das estimativas de severidade do oídio em folhas de melancia.(AU)

A standard area diagram set for assessing severity of eucalyptus bacterial blight caused by Erwinia psidii / Uma escala diagramática para a avaliação da severidade da seca-de-ponteiros do eucalipto causada por Erwinia psidii

This study aimed to develop and validate a standard area diagram (SAD) set to estimate the severity of bacterial blight of eucalyptus caused by Erwinia psidii. For this purpose, an eight-level SAD was developed and validated by ten inexperienced raters. Accuracy and precision of the estimates by each rater, with and without the SAD, were determined based on Lin's concordance correlation coefficient. The proposed SAD improved the accuracy and precision of the estimates. The SAD set studied here is a useful tool in assessments of bacterial blight of eucalyptus for epidemiological research and breeding programs.(AU)

Este trabalho objetivou o desenvolvimento de uma escala para estimar a severidade da seca-de-ponteiros do eucalipto causada por Erwinia psidii. Para isso, uma escala de oito níveis foi desenvolvida e validada por dez avaliadores inexperientes. A acurácia e precisão das estimativas de cada avaliador, com e sem a escala, foram determinadas baseadas no coeficiente de correlação concordante de Lin. A escala proposta melhorou a acurácia e a precisão das estimativas. A escala estudada se mostrou uma ferramenta útil na avaliação da seca-de-ponteiros do eucalipto para estudos epidemiológicos e em programas de melhoramento.(AU)

A standard area diagram set for assessing severity of eucalyptus bacterial blight caused by Erwinia psidii / Uma escala diagramática para a avaliação da severidade da seca-de-ponteiros do eucalipto causada por Erwinia psidii

This study aimed to develop and validate a standard area diagram (SAD) set to estimate the severity of bacterial blight of eucalyptus caused by Erwinia psidii. For this purpose, an eight-level SAD was developed and validated by ten inexperienced raters. Accuracy and precision of the estimates by each rater, with and without the SAD, were determined based on Lin's concordance correlation coefficient. The proposed SAD improved the accuracy and precision of the estimates. The SAD set studied here is a useful tool in assessments of bacterial blight of eucalyptus for epidemiological research and breeding programs.(AU)

Este trabalho objetivou o desenvolvimento de uma escala para estimar a severidade da seca-de-ponteiros do eucalipto causada por Erwinia psidii. Para isso, uma escala de oito níveis foi desenvolvida e validada por dez avaliadores inexperientes. A acurácia e precisão das estimativas de cada avaliador, com e sem a escala, foram determinadas baseadas no coeficiente de correlação concordante de Lin. A escala proposta melhorou a acurácia e a precisão das estimativas. A escala estudada se mostrou uma ferramenta útil na avaliação da seca-de-ponteiros do eucalipto para estudos epidemiológicos e em programas de melhoramento.(AU)

Development and validation of a standard area diagram set to assess powdery mildew severity on watermelon leaves / Desenvolvimento e validação de uma escala diagramática para avaliar a severidade oídio em folhas de melancia do

ABSTRACT: The development and validation of a standard area diagram set (SADs) was proposed in this study to assess the severity of powdery mildew (Podosphaera xanthii) in watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) leaves. The SADs proposed has twelve levels of severity, varying from 0.07 to 100%. The SADs were validated by 16 raters who had no previous experience in evaluating plant disease severity. Initially, the estimation of severity was performed without the use of the SADs in leaves with different levels of severity. In a second moment, the same raters estimated the disease severity using the SADs proposed. By Lin's concordance correlation analysis, there was an improvement in precision (coefficient of correlation, r = 0.878 and r = 0.959, without and with SADs, respectively) and accuracy (bias correction factor, Cb = 0.830 and 0.982, without and with SADs, respectively) using SADs when compared to the non-use of SADs. The agreement (Lin's concordance correlation coefficient, ρc = 0.734 and 0.952 without and with SADs, respectively) also improved using SADs. Severity estimates inter-rater were more reliable when using SADs (coefficient of determination, R2 = 0.681 without and R2 = 0.864 with SADs; Intra-class correlation coefficient, ρ = 0.759 and ρ = 0.928, without and with SADs, respectively). Therefore, SADs improved precision, accuracy and reliability of powdery mildew severity on watermelon leaves.

RESUMO: Neste estudo foi proposto o desenvolvimento e validação de uma escala diagramática (ED) para avaliar a severidade do oídio (Podosphaera xanthii) em folhas de melancia (Citrullus lanatus). A ED proposta possui 12 níveis de severidade, variando de 0,07 a 100%. A ED foi validada por 16 avaliadores inexperientes em avaliação de severidade de doenças de plantas. Inicialmente, as estimativas de severidade foram realizadas sem o uso da ED em folhas com diferentes níveis de severidade. No segundo momento, os mesmos avaliadores estimaram a severidade da doença usando a ED proposta. Pela análise da correlação concordante de Lin, houve melhoria na precisão (coeficiente de correlação, r = 0,787 e r = 0,959, sem e com o uso da ED, respectivamente) e acurácia (fator de correção do desvio, Cb = 0,830 e 0,982, sem e com o uso da ED, respectivamente) usando a ED quando comparado ao não uso da ED. O coeficiente de correlação concordante de Lin, ρc = 0,734 e 0,952 sem e com o uso da ED, respectivamente) também melhorou com o uso da ED. As estimativas de severidade tiveram melhoria na reprodutibilidade quando a ED foi usada (coeficiente de determinação, R2=0,681 e R2 = 0,864 sem e com o uso da ED, respectivamente; coeficiente de correlação intra-classe, ρ = 0,759 e ρ = 0,928, sem e com o uso da ED, respectivamente). Portanto, a ED melhorou a precisão, acurácia e reprodutibilidade das estimativas de severidade do oídio em folhas de melancia.

Development and validation of a diagrammatic scale for quantifying maize leaf spots caused by Diplodia macrospora / Desenvolvimento e validação de escala diagramática para quantificação da mancha foliar de Diplodia macrospora em milho

The objective of this study was to develop and validate a diagrammatic scale to evaluate the severity of spots on maize leaves caused by the fungus Diplodia macrospora. Severity ranged between the minimal (0.5%) and maximal (55%) limits of disease severity, and intermediate severity levels were defined according to the "Weber-Fechner stimulus response law". The proposed scale describes six levels of severity based on how much of the leaf is affected: 0.5%, 3%, 8%, 23%, 36%, and 55%. Validation was carried out by eight evaluators, four inexperienced and four experienced. They estimated the severity of disease in 60 maize leaves, with and without the proposed diagrammatic scale. A relationship was shown by regression analysis between estimated and actual severity, with and without the use of the scale. When both inexperienced and experienced evaluators used the scale, they were able to estimate disease severity more accurately and precisely.

O objetivo deste estudo foi desenvolver e validar uma escala diagramática para avaliação da severidade da mancha foliar causada pelo fungo Diplodia macrospora, em folhas de milho, considerando os limites de severidade mínima e máxima da doença e os níveis intermediários de acordo com a "Lei de resposta ao estímulo de Weber-Fechner". A escala proposta apresenta seis níveis de severidade: 0,5%; 3%; 8%; 23%; 36% e 55% da área foliar afetada. A validação foi realizada por oito avaliadores sendo quatro inexperientes e quatro experientes, os quais estimaram a severidade de 60 folhas de milho que apresentavam níveis variados se sintomas da doença, primeiramente sem a utilização da escala diagramática e, posteriormente, com o uso da escala proposta. Pela análise de regressão verificou-se relação entre o grau de severidade real e o estimado por cada avaliador, com e sem o uso da escala. Com a utilização da escala, tanto os avaliadores inexperientes quanto os experientes demostraram maiores níveis de acurácia e precisão.

Development and validation of a diagrammatic scale for quantifying maize leaf spots caused by Diplodia macrospora / Desenvolvimento e validação de escala diagramática para quantificação da mancha foliar de Diplodia macrospora em milho

The objective of this study was to develop and validate a diagrammatic scale to evaluate the severity of spots on maize leaves caused by the fungus Diplodia macrospora. Severity ranged between the minimal (0.5%) and maximal (55%) limits of disease severity, and intermediate severity levels were defined according to the "Weber-Fechner stimulus response law". The proposed scale describes six levels of severity based on how much of the leaf is affected: 0.5%, 3%, 8%, 23%, 36%, and 55%. Validation was carried out by eight evaluators, four inexperienced and four experienced. They estimated the severity of disease in 60 maize leaves, with and without the proposed diagrammatic scale. A relationship was shown by regression analysis between estimated and actual severity, with and without the use of the scale. When both inexperienced and experienced evaluators used the scale, they were able to estimate disease severity more accurately and precisely.(AU)

O objetivo deste estudo foi desenvolver e validar uma escala diagramática para avaliação da severidade da mancha foliar causada pelo fungo Diplodia macrospora, em folhas de milho, considerando os limites de severidade mínima e máxima da doença e os níveis intermediários de acordo com a "Lei de resposta ao estímulo de Weber-Fechner". A escala proposta apresenta seis níveis de severidade: 0,5%; 3%; 8%; 23%; 36% e 55% da área foliar afetada. A validação foi realizada por oito avaliadores sendo quatro inexperientes e quatro experientes, os quais estimaram a severidade de 60 folhas de milho que apresentavam níveis variados se sintomas da doença, primeiramente sem a utilização da escala diagramática e, posteriormente, com o uso da escala proposta. Pela análise de regressão verificou-se relação entre o grau de severidade real e o estimado por cada avaliador, com e sem o uso da escala. Com a utilização da escala, tanto os avaliadores inexperientes quanto os experientes demostraram maiores níveis de acurácia e precisão.(AU)

Elaboration and validation of a diagrammatic scale to assess downy mildew severity in grapevine / Elaboração e validação de uma escala diagramática para quantificação da severidade do míldio da videira

The downy mildew, caused by Plasmopora viticola, is one of the most important grapevine (Vitis vinifera) diseases in Southern Brazil, causing defoliation and economic losses. The evaluation of disease severity is an important decision for adoption of strategies and tactics for disease control. Therefore, the objective of this work was to elaborate and to validate a diagrammatic scale to assess downy mildew severity in grapevine, respecting the limitations of visual acuity. The diagrammatic scale with seven levels of disease severity of 1, 3, 6, 12, 25, 50 and 75% was developed in two versions of black-and-white and color scale. The scales were tested and validated by eight raters with and without previous experience with grapevine downy mildew. The raters estimated the severity of 30 grapevine leaves with different downy mildew severity, with and without the use of the scales. Minimum, intermediate and maximum severity levels were collected according to Weber-Fechner's stimulus-response law. The accuracy and precision were analyzed by linear regression between the actual and the estimated severity. Actual severity was assessed with ASSESS(r) Program. The scales provided good levels of accuracy (means of 88%) and excellent levels of precision (means of 95%). The raters showed great precision and accuracy when used the diagrammatic scale. The color scale provided more precise and accurate estimates than the black-and-white scale. The scale proposed in this work presented appropriate applicability for downy mildew evaluation in grapevine.(AU)

O míldio da videira causado pelo fungo Plasmopora viticola é uma das doenças mais importantes da videira (Vitis vinifera) no sul do Brasil, causando desfolha e perdas econômicas. A avaliação da severidade de doenças é uma decisão importante na adoção de estratégias e táticas de controle. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi elaborar e validar uma escala diagramática para a avaliação da severidade do míldio da videira, respeitando as limitações da acuidade visual. A escala diagramática com sete níveis de severidade: 1, 3, 6, 12, 25, 50 e 75%, foi desenvolvida em duas versões preto-e-branco e em cores. As escalas foram avaliadas e validadas por oito avaliadores com e sem experiência prévia com o míldio da videira. Os avaliadores estimaram a severidade em 30 folhas de videira com diferentes níveis de severidade da doença, com e sem experiência no uso da escala diagramática. Severidades mínimas, médias e máximas foram obtidas pela Lei do estímulo visual de Weber-Fechner. A acurácia e a precisão foram analisadas por meio de regressão linear, confrontando os valores de severidade reais com os estimados. A severidade real foi estimada pelo programa ASSESS(r). As escalas proporcionaram bons níveis de acurácia (média 88%) e excelentes níveis de precisão (média de 95%). Os avaliadores apresentaram grande precisão e acurácia com o uso da escala diagramática. A escala colorida proporcionou estimativa melhor de precisão e acurácia do que a escala preto-e-branco. A escala diagramática proposta apresenta apropriada aplicabilidade para a avaliação do míldio da videira.(AU)

Elaboration and validation of a diagrammatic scale to assess downy mildew severity in grapevine / Elaboração e validação de uma escala diagramática para quantificação da severidade do míldio da videira

The downy mildew, caused by Plasmopora viticola, is one of the most important grapevine (Vitis vinifera) diseases in Southern Brazil, causing defoliation and economic losses. The evaluation of disease severity is an important decision for adoption of strategies and tactics for disease control. Therefore, the objective of this work was to elaborate and to validate a diagrammatic scale to assess downy mildew severity in grapevine, respecting the limitations of visual acuity. The diagrammatic scale with seven levels of disease severity of 1, 3, 6, 12, 25, 50 and 75% was developed in two versions of black-and-white and color scale. The scales were tested and validated by eight raters with and without previous experience with grapevine downy mildew. The raters estimated the severity of 30 grapevine leaves with different downy mildew severity, with and without the use of the scales. Minimum, intermediate and maximum severity levels were collected according to Weber-Fechner's stimulus-response law. The accuracy and precision were analyzed by linear regression between the actual and the estimated severity. Actual severity was assessed with ASSESS(r) Program. The scales provided good levels of accuracy (means of 88%) and excellent levels of precision (means of 95%). The raters showed great precision and accuracy when used the diagrammatic scale. The color scale provided more precise and accurate estimates than the black-and-white scale. The scale proposed in this work presented appropriate applicability for downy mildew evaluation in grapevine.

O míldio da videira causado pelo fungo Plasmopora viticola é uma das doenças mais importantes da videira (Vitis vinifera) no sul do Brasil, causando desfolha e perdas econômicas. A avaliação da severidade de doenças é uma decisão importante na adoção de estratégias e táticas de controle. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi elaborar e validar uma escala diagramática para a avaliação da severidade do míldio da videira, respeitando as limitações da acuidade visual. A escala diagramática com sete níveis de severidade: 1, 3, 6, 12, 25, 50 e 75%, foi desenvolvida em duas versões preto-e-branco e em cores. As escalas foram avaliadas e validadas por oito avaliadores com e sem experiência prévia com o míldio da videira. Os avaliadores estimaram a severidade em 30 folhas de videira com diferentes níveis de severidade da doença, com e sem experiência no uso da escala diagramática. Severidades mínimas, médias e máximas foram obtidas pela Lei do estímulo visual de Weber-Fechner. A acurácia e a precisão foram analisadas por meio de regressão linear, confrontando os valores de severidade reais com os estimados. A severidade real foi estimada pelo programa ASSESS(r). As escalas proporcionaram bons níveis de acurácia (média 88%) e excelentes níveis de precisão (média de 95%). Os avaliadores apresentaram grande precisão e acurácia com o uso da escala diagramática. A escala colorida proporcionou estimativa melhor de precisão e acurácia do que a escala preto-e-branco. A escala diagramática proposta apresenta apropriada aplicabilidade para a avaliação do míldio da videira.

Comparative analysis for quantification of Citrus Variegated Chlorosis in the field

Citrus Variegated Chlorosis (CVC) caused by Xylella fastidiosa is one of the most important diseases for Brazilian citriculture. The CVC is a vascular disease with a long incubation period and symptoms similar to other disorders, and this factors difficult the CVC quantification in the field. Two methods of CVC assessment were compared in this study. The first method was based on a descriptive rating scale with four ratings, commonly used for the disease quantification. The second one was based on the incidence of symptomatic branches. The quantification of CVC through these two methods was carried out in a 10-year-old 'Natal' sweet orange orchard. The descriptive scale considered the symptoms of the entire plant. The disease incidence was evaluated in 36 branches in each plant. The assessments were conducted by three raters in 144 plants in July 2006 and July 2007 as well as in March and November 2008. The descriptive scale did not allow an accurate assessment and resulted in a moderate strength of agreement among the raters. On the other hand, the incidence quantification of CVC through the symptomatic branches showed high repeatability among the raters. We suggest the use of incidence of symptomatic branches as variable for CVC quantification.

Comparative analysis for quantification of Citrus Variegated Chlorosis in the field

Citrus Variegated Chlorosis (CVC) caused by Xylella fastidiosa is one of the most important diseases for Brazilian citriculture. The CVC is a vascular disease with a long incubation period and symptoms similar to other disorders, and this factors difficult the CVC quantification in the field. Two methods of CVC assessment were compared in this study. The first method was based on a descriptive rating scale with four ratings, commonly used for the disease quantification. The second one was based on the incidence of symptomatic branches. The quantification of CVC through these two methods was carried out in a 10-year-old 'Natal' sweet orange orchard. The descriptive scale considered the symptoms of the entire plant. The disease incidence was evaluated in 36 branches in each plant. The assessments were conducted by three raters in 144 plants in July 2006 and July 2007 as well as in March and November 2008. The descriptive scale did not allow an accurate assessment and resulted in a moderate strength of agreement among the raters. On the other hand, the incidence quantification of CVC through the symptomatic branches showed high repeatability among the raters. We suggest the use of incidence of symptomatic branches as variable for CVC quantification.

Incidence-Severity Relationships in the Pathosystem Coffea arabica-Hemileia vastatrix.

Incidence-severity relationships for coffee rust were studied to determine if the easily assessed incidence could be used to evaluate host resistance and fungicide treatment. At two locations in each of 3 years, the incidence of rust on 300 leaves was compared with two assessments of severity: (i) the average number of sporulating pustules per leaf, and (ii) the estimated leaf area with rust. For nine or 10 assessments in time at one location and pooled over 3 years, the average number of sporulating pustules per leaf (Y sp) was well related with the incidence of leaves with rust (X) as Y sp = 0.02982+ 0.017035X +0.000573X 2; R 2 = 0.87. The leaf area with rust (Y la) was also well related with incidence of leaves with rust as Y la = 0.001 - 0.01076X +0.008376X 2; R 2 = 0.92. For two independent data sets from a second location obtained over two seasons, the above models satisfactorily fit the relationships for the average sporulating pustules per leaf (R 2 = 0.97 and 0.96) and for the estimated leaf area with rust (R 2 = 0.95 and 0.98). Therefore, the readily determined incidence can be used to estimate both measures of disease severity of coffee rust.