Modelling Inoculum Availability ofPlurivorosphaerella nawaein Persimmon Leaf Litter with Bayesian Beta Regression

AbstractCircular leaf spot (CLS), caused byPlurivorosphaerella nawae, is a serious disease of persimmon (Diospyros kaki) inducing necrotic lesions on leaves, defoliation and fruit drop. Under Mediter-ranean conditions,P. nawaeforms pseudothecia in the leaf litter during winter and ascospores are released in spring infecting susceptible leaves. Persimmon growers are advised to apply fungicides for CLS control during the period of inoculum availability, which was defined based on ascospore counts under the microscope. A model of inoculum availability ofP. nawaewas developed and evaluated as an alternative to ascospore counts. Leaf litter samples were collected weekly in L’Alcúdia from 2010 to…