Wheat Stem Rust UG99

♤ Wheat is only second to rice as source of calories and protein to people across the globe; however there is a threat to the crop with steam rust UG99.

♤ What are Stem Rusts?

o Stem rusts are a significant disease caused by the fungus Pucciniagraminis which affect cereal crops.

o Ug99 is a lineage of wheat stem rust and can potentially cause a wheat production disaster that would affect food security worldwide.

o Under the umbrella of Borlaug Global Rust Initiative many research projects to tackle UG99 threat.

o In late 2013, large areas of India along with Eretria and Ethiopia were on high alert after a rust- resistant cultivar became susceptible to UG99, eventually leading to localised severe rusts.

♤ Early warning of rust epidemics is very important as farmers can use measures like spraying of appropriate fungicides.

♤ Recently rust resistant genes Sr35 and Sr33 have been cloned and combining these two either by

crossing or genetic engineering might become beneficial to control this devastating wheat disease.