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Context

• Scientists have warned that the fungus Magnaporthe oryzae, which is destroying South American wheat crops, could spread worldwide.

Fast Facts

• Researchers first detected the pathogen in Brazilian wheat crops in the 1980s.
• The fungus has since spread throughout South America.
• Cases of infection have also been reported in Asia in 2016 and Africa in 2018.
• Magnaporthe oryzae infects wild and cultivated grasses, most notably rice and wheat.
• The pathogen affects the crop in a disease known as ‘wheat blast’.
• The seriousness of the disease is indicated by the fact that crops are burnt to avoid this disease.
• Wheat crops around the world are susceptible to the fungus, the researchers warned in the study.
• The pathogen is also resistant to fungicides.
• The biggest concern is that this fungus has the potential to affect not only wheat but also other major food crops.

Need for accurate, early detection

• Genomic surveillance allows for early and accurate detection of these, which can lead to the discovery of the origin of the disease and help create a prevention strategy.

https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/agriculture/wheat-blast-a-fungus-that-spread-to-three-continents-can-threaten-food-security-globally-88803

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