Prelecionista: Ricardo Gomes Tomáz
Orientador: Emerson Del Ponte
Data: Terça, 17/06/25, às 16h
Local: Auditório do DFP

Resumo: Disease epidemics have been reported over the centuries at different spatial scales, where the airborne route has facilitated their successful dispersal. These outbreaks can cause significant yield and economic losses in major crops, while reducing food quality for human and animal consumption. Despite their impact, airborne dispersal remains silent and often imperceptible. Aerobiology allows us to understand their spatial and temporal dynamics, whose mathematical and physical foundations were established by Philip Gregory, based on his quantitative studies, and how airborne spores are dispersed and affected by environmental factors. However, how can aerobiology be applied to understand the disease epidemics in plant pathology? Monitoring of inoculum with traps and mechanistic modeling has been implemented to obtain information on the key pillars, such as pathogen characterization, dispersal, epidemiology, and disease control. How can the information generated through these approaches enhance disease monitoring and support more effective management? This seminar will explore the contribution of aerobiological data and modeling tools to early warning systems, decision-making, and improved prediction of disease outbreaks. Aerobiology will be presented as a critical field in plant pathology, with clear implications for sustainable agriculture and global food security.