Code:
USDA#54/99
Initiative:
Call for Proposals
Other agencies:
USD 232.561
Counterpart Amount:
USD 162.000
Execution time
36 Months
Total Amount:
USD 394.561
Participating countries:
Uruguay Uruguay Argentina Argentina Brazil Brazil Chile Chile Mexico Mexico Paraguay Paraguay
Funding source:
Other agencies 59% Counterpart Amount 41%

Executive Summary

Sources of wheat rust resistance were sought in the Southern Cone where there are two epidemiological zones separated by the Andes Mountains. Leaf rust (Puccinia triticina) and striated rust (P. striiformis) are the most important diseases. The population of both pathogens is dynamic with frequent changes in virulence that reduce the duration of resistance of commercial cultivars. Adult plant resistance, determined by additive genes, is used to stabilize the effect of the pathogens and achieve long-lasting resistance. Germplasm with low infection coefficient and stable resistance sources was selected and distributed to breeding programs. Resistance of commercial cultivars results from the combination of genes of greater effect but is not durable and is associated with changes in virulence of pathogens. Reaction to rust of commercial cultivars and isogenic differential lines was evaluated and in several cases resistance was maintained. Population changes of P. triticin were evaluated and races that are virulent on local cultivars were identified. Changes in the prevalence of races and the emergence of new races confirm that the population of the pathogen is very dynamic. Representative isolates of this variability have been preserved. An avirulent race over most commercial cultivars predominates in the region although cultivation of susceptible wheat may increase infections. 

The technological solution

The preliminary technological solution has been the determination of genetic resistance factors to wheat rust. This information, in addition to the knowledge about population dynamics and variability of pathogen virulence, also produced by the project, will serve to obtain the final technological solution which is the generation and release of commercial varieties resistant to rust. The production sector of reference is that of wheat production in the Southern Cone where more than 9 million ha are planted. 


Results

The most important result has been the determination of the sources of genetic resistance to leaf rust and striated rust in commercial cultivars in the region and in differentiated isogenic lines, information that is extremely useful for breeding programs. Another important result is the identification of races of pathogens in different environments in the region and the determination of their population dynamics and the variability of their virulence. 

Beneficiaries

The immediate beneficiaries are the region's breeding agencies and scientists dedicated to reducing the negative effects of wheat rust on productivity and farmers' incomes. In the long term, after the release of commercial varieties with long-lasting resistance, the final beneficiaries will be the producers who will reduce production risks by having wheat varieties that are less susceptible to two serious plant diseases. 


Sustainable Development Goals

Zero Hunger

Main donors

Participating Organizations

Executor
  • Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria (INIA) - Uruguay
Associated
  • Instituto de Investigaciones Agropecuarias (INIA) - Chile
  • DIA - MAG - Paraguay
  • Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA) - Argentina
  • Centro Internacional de Mejoramiento de Maíz y Trio (CIMMYT) - México
  • Empresa Brasileña de Investigación Agropecuaria (EMBRAPA) - Brasil

Graphics and data

Financing by country (in USD)
FONTAGRO Amount Other agencies Counterpart Amount

Geolocated Map

Researchers

Project leader Uruguay

Silvia Germán

Researcher

James Kolmer

Researcher

Jorge Nisi

Researcher

Ravi Prakash Singh

Researcher

Man Mohan Kohli

Sponsors
BID
IICA
With the support of
Fondo Coreano de Alianza para el Conocimiento en Tecnología e Innovación (KPK)