Nonlinear Regression Analysis to Determine Infection Models of Colletotrichum acutatum Causing Anthracnose of Chili Pepper Using Logistic Equation

A logistic model for describing combined effects of both temperature and wetness period on appressorium formation was developed using laboratory data on percent appressorium formation of Colletotrichum acutatum. In addition, the possible use of the logistic model for forecasting infection risks was also evaluated as compared with a first-order linear model. A simplified equilibrium model for enzymatic reactions was applied to obtain a temperature function for asymptote parameter (A) of logistic model. For the position (B) and the rate (k) parameters, a reciprocal model was used to calculate the respective temperature functions. The nonlinear logistic model described successfully the response of appressorium formation to the combined effects of temperature and wetness period. Especially the temperature function for asymptote parameter A reflected the response of upper limit of appressorium formation to temperature, which showed the typical temperature response of enzymatic reactions in the cells. By having both temperature and wetness period as independent variables, the nonlinear logistic model can be used to determine the length of wetness periods required for certain levels of appressorium formation under different temperature conditions. The infection model derived from the nonlinear logistic model can be used to calculate infection risks using hourly temperature and wetness period data monitored by automated weather stations in the fields. Compared with the nonlinear infection model, the linear infection model always predicted a shorter wetness period for appressorium formation, and resulted in significantly under- and over-estimation of response at low and high temperatures, respectively.