The present study was conducted for assessment
of the phenotypic trait plasticity, interrelationships among
host-pathogen traits as well as their spatial magnitudes at
Indian hot arid regions (n =14) pertains to Ganoderma
lucidum (soil borne pathogenic fungi and Prosopis cineraria
(multipurpose agroforestry tree). In this study, various traits
of P. cineraria (canopy cover, Diameter at Breast Height i.e.
DBH and light interception under canopy and traits of G.
lucidum fruiting body i.e. Pileus width, cover and stipe
length were measured. Predictor (host traits) and response
(pathogen traits) relationships were assessed through Partial
Least Square (PLS) regression. Spatial pattern analysis of
the studied traits belong to host and Ganoderma fruiting
body were analyzed through using density based indices i.e.
Index of dispersal, Lloyd’s mean crowding, Morisita’ index
of dispersion and by using spatial autocorrelation technique
(Moran’s I index). For host, the maximum and minimum
trait plasticity was recorded for light intensity and canopy
cover, respectively. While for G. lucidum, maximum was
recorded for stipe length and pileus cover. Through PLS, we
established the regression equations for pileus cover and
width of pileus. Distance based spatial pattern analysis
revealed the clumped pattern for pileus cover, stipe length
and host cover, while uniform pattern was recorded for
width of pileus and host DBH. Contrary to these, spatial
autocorrelation (Morain’s I variograms) suggested the
random nature of all the parameters. From disease
management point of view, such results suggested that for
specific diseased area, a general management prac-tice or
recommendation can be formulated, but such practice cannot
be promulgated for large geographical areas as the hostpathogen parameters complex showed randomness