Plant growth and population dynamics

The main purpose of quantitative nematological research is twofold. First, to develop mathematical models that contribute to theory building. Second, for farmers, to achieve optimal financial returns of crops in the presence of plant-parasitic nematodes. To accomplish this, we need stochastic models about: (i) population dynamics of nematodes during crop rotation; (ii) plant growth in the presence of nematodes; (iii) relative susceptibility of resistant host plants; (iv) plant host status; (v) dose effect relations of pesticides; and (vi) sampling methods for nematodes, based on their distribution patterns. Models (i) up to and including (v) are covered in this chapter. All models are based on independent empirical research, statistical based laboratory techniques and data analysis. We give some examples of datasets and data analysis in the free software package R.