Scientists from Great Britain, the USA and Australia learned how to eliminate stem rust which is a real threat to food security on our planet.
Scientists identified genetic hints which can allow predicting whether crops will be struck with stem rust or not.
They found a gene which naturally protects wheat from this disease. Results of this research have given the scientists absolutely new tools for protection from this deadly pathogen.
Throughout centuries stem rust has been destroying yields that often lead to hunger. So in the fifties of XX century rust struck fields in the North America and destroyed about 40% of harvest. Since then scientists worked on creation of new varieties, resistible to rust, to increase immunity of wheat.
However the pathogen constantly expands. Very aggressive strain was found recently in several countries of Africa and the Middle East from where air masses could extend it to neighboring countries.
The new research will allow to test DNA samples of suspicious wheat quickly to see whether it is necessary to carry out spraying using pesticides.
"It will be for the first time possible to hold DNA testing to define whether the rust in crops of wheat can develop resistant gene to rust (Sr50) which will be injected into high-yielding varieties of wheat" — Robert Park, professor of steady agriculture at Sydney university reported.
"Now we can observe evolution of this pathogen and predict its influence on wheat harvest. In the future we will be able to create smart selections which will help plants become resistant to these diseases" — doctor Mathew Moscow from Sainsbury Laboratory in Norwich told.
Source: Agroxxi.ru
Foto: beeculture.com
