A multigrid approximation to the expansion of Xylella Fastidiosa in almond trees

Abstract

Xylella fastidiosa (X.F.) is a plant pathogen that is transmitted exclusively by sap insects that feed on xylem fluid. This paper presents a theoretical grid-model to approach the expansion of this bacterium in almond trees orchards. The model is based on a multigrid approximation defined by both the environmental characteristics that have an impact on the status of the trees and the time which depicts their evolution. The trees can be healthy (S), exposed (E), infected (I) or dead (D). The dynamics of each grid is defined by a set of update rules which determine the value of the cells in a particular neighbourhood. The preliminary results of this work allow us to provide a relationship between the environmental characteristics and the status of the trees as time passes. This is useful to guide the decision making on the eradication policies.