Summary
Scientists globally are working really hard to find some genetic solution to the devastating Ug99 wheat rust which most people think is on its way to enter Asia.
Analysis
Wheat remains a staple crop for billions of people globally. Not only it is one of the most important crop for farmers but also an important source of nutrition.
In 1999 scientists detected this rust in Uganda, hence this rust got its name Ug99.
Unfortunately, this new wheat stem rust strain is on the move and it is threatening global food problem and wheat shortage on a scale unknown since the 1950s.
This particular fungal disease which also affects barley has now jumped the Red Sea, from east Africa to Yemen on the Arabian Peninsula, and is perfectly positioned to move on to Egypt, the Middle East, and Asia.
Now that Ug99 is in central Asia, it can migrate north and west into, effectively, the plains and steppes of the former Soviet Union. Kazakhstan and Serbia are huge wheat producers.
Most importantly, If it moves east, it’ll be in Afghanistan, Pakistan and the rest of south Asia. India is the world’s second largest wheat producer after China. The United States is third. This will put global wheat production at a huge threat.
This particular fungal disease which also affects barley has now jumped the Red Sea, from east Africa to Yemen on the Arabian Peninsula, and is perfectly positioned to move on to Egypt, the Middle East, and Asia.
Now that Ug99 is in central Asia, it can migrate north and west into, effectively, the plains and steppes of the former Soviet Union. Kazakhstan and Serbia are huge wheat producers.
Most importantly, If it moves east, it’ll be in Afghanistan, Pakistan and the rest of south Asia. India is the world’s second largest wheat producer after China. The United States is third. This will put global wheat production at a huge threat.
It has been historically documented that wind patterns took yellow rust — a disease similar to stem rust — on the same path: from Kenya to Yemen into the Middle East and then moved to the subcontinent region.
Researchers and Policy makers globally are working hard to find some sort of solution against this deadly fungal disease. One of the important developments in this regards came from Director General of the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), and he said a global reference laboratory will be used as a repository for new virulent races of the rust pathogen, facilitating the identification of new sources of resistance in wheat and also for training young scientists to get equipped with latest knowledge regarding this fungus.
Strong anticipation would be required from scientists to detect the fungus and stop it from affecting the crops.
Researchers and Policy makers globally are working hard to find some sort of solution against this deadly fungal disease. One of the important developments in this regards came from Director General of the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), and he said a global reference laboratory will be used as a repository for new virulent races of the rust pathogen, facilitating the identification of new sources of resistance in wheat and also for training young scientists to get equipped with latest knowledge regarding this fungus.
Strong anticipation would be required from scientists to detect the fungus and stop it from affecting the crops.
This author consults with leading institutions through GLG
Analyses are solely the work of the authors and have not been edited or endorsed by GLG.
