Mitigating the threat of Wheat Blast (Magnaporthe oryzae pathotype Triticum) in Zambia, and beyond

Wheat blast (WB) caused by the fungal pathogen Magnaporthe oryzae pathotype Triticum (MoT) has become a significant threat to wheat production in warm and humid areas.

WB was first discovered in Brazil in 1985 and then gradually spread to the neighbouring countries, causing yield losses in a range of 10 to 100%.

Recently, the disease was observed in the continent of Africa, Zambia, for the first time on wheat grown in experimental plots and farmers´ fields.

WB transboundary jump to South Asia and then Sub-Saharan Africa originated from South America threatens food security and farmers’ income.

Zambia, located at the crossroads of Central, Southern and East Africa, is particularly a unique country in terms of importing and exporting (to neighbouring countries) wheat within a year that increases the possibility of wheat blast spread. .

The project targets awareness creation, early WB warning system, pathogen biology, integrated WB management, and human resources and capacity development.

Additionally, the project is linked to the Australian Center for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) funded project on host resistance against WB.

This project would enormously help researchers to identify solutions for sustainable wheat production in the region regardless of incursion of this highly damaging WB disease and will be a critical step forward to avoid a potential disaster of loss of wheat production in the region.