WHEAT, DISEASE EARLY WARNING ADVISORY SYSTEM
- Stella Nyangulu
- 26 Oct, 2024
Wheat, one of the
world’s most important staple crops, is facing an escalating threat from
several diseases that endanger global food security. With climate change
accelerating the spread of pathogens, wheat farmers across major producing
regions, including Zambia are grappling with increasingly aggressive outbreaks.
These diseases not only reduce yields but also affect grain quality, leading to
economic losses and food shortages. Wheat, like any other crop is also
susceptible to disease.
Agricultural experts
and farmers alike are scrambling to contain the damage caused by a surge in
both new and re-emerging wheat diseases, which have raised fears about global
food security and economic stability.
The most prominent among these diseases is wheat
rust, a fungal infection that has three main forms: stem rust, leaf rust, and
stripe rust. All of these pose significant risks to wheat yields.
The International Maize and Wheat Improvement
Centre (CIMMYT) are coordinating global efforts to tackle wheat diseases. The
International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMTY) and it's
collaborating partners, Bill and Melinda Gates foundation, Global Rust
Reference Centre (GRCC), recently held a training workshop for scientists and
researchers which was hosted by Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Organisation
(KALRO) in Nakuru, Kenya.
Speaking during the
training workshop, Dr. Batiseba Tembo, from the Zambia Agricultural
Research Institute (ZARI) and Principal Investigator for the Disease Early
Warning Advisory System (DEWAS) project said, Zambia has two agro climatic
systems for wheat that is the rain fed season and the irrigated system. Fusarium head blight, leaf rust, powdery
mildew thrives under the irrigated system while wheat blast thrives under the
rain fed system.
Wheat blast disease was
first discovered in Zambia in 2018 under the rain season in Mpika district, and
this disease is really undermining rain fed wheat production. ZARI has released
two wheat seed varieties, Tyetye and Mpeta, that are at least tolerant to wheat
blast. ZARI is making advancements in combating wheat diseases. Breeding for
resistance is very important for the farmer, and they should practice crop
rotation and use clean seed and not recycled seed, Dr. Banda said.
The growing threat
of wheat diseases represents a significant challenge to global food security.
As climate change continues to reshape agricultural landscapes, it is crucial
that nations invest in research and adaptation strategies to protect this vital
crop. Without sustained efforts, wheat diseases could worsen, leading to
economic hardship and hunger for millions of people around the world (NAIS)
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