Stem Rust

Stem rust is a disease that is significantly affecting wheat and other cereal grains.  The fungus Puccinia graminis is responsible for causing the illness.  It attacks the green parts of the stock above ground by forming a pustule, or blister, on the outer part of the stem and infecting the plant.  The fungus takes nutrients away and disrupts the transpiration process making it so the plant ends up drying out, and in extreme cases, dying.  When plants are infected they will produce much less grain and become ineffective for farming.  The disease is a large concern for farmers throughout Africa and Asia.  Scientists are working on breeding strains of plants that are resistant to the fungus, but throughout different regions of the world the disease has mutated to be more adapted to the environment it is in.  This requires scientists to test various strains in each region where the fungus has been found and requires extensive work.

https://www.sciencenews.org/article/genes-wheat-relatives-help-stave-stem-rust?mode=magazine&context=4557

For more information on Stem Rust and other plant diseases, please click here.

https://www.cropscience.bayer.us/learning-center/articles/disease-management-in-cereal-crops?xtor=SEC-281-[GOO]-[Solutions_Based_Content]-[na]-S-[stem%20rust%20of%20wheat]&xts=519127&sc_camp=5B1FD467742540808584224775027B34

Garrett Mulanix