Chances of introduction of

Ug99 to the India: With

effect form sand-hazes

during March,2012

Mr. Prashant B. Kale

PhD Student, Biotechnology,

Dr PDKV, Akola (Maharashtra)

WHEAT STEM RUST - UG99 (RACE TTKSK)

• Wheat stem rust (Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici)

• Historically most damaging disease

• Yield losses of 70% or more

• Rust is highly mobile, rapidly spreading, cover large distances by wind

• Commonly was under control due to the presence of resistant cultivars.

• New virulent race Ug99 identified in 1999 from Uganda

• Present nomenclature is as: Ug99 race TTKSK

• Ug99 (Race TTKSK) has unique virulence patterns to overcome so many wheat resistance genes, (Sr31).

• Spread of Ug99 (Race TTKSK) had reported out of East Africa, i.e. Yemen and as far as Iran.

• To overcome host resistance, pathogens show rapid change and are often due to mutation.

• Presently according to FAO, six additional variants are recognized for the Ug99.

• Though identical at DNA level they differ in their virulence patterns

• More resistance genes e.g., Sr24 & Sr36 have now been defeated by variants of Ug99.

• Hence considered as a major threat to wheat.

History and present status of Ug99

Reference : http://www.fao.org/agriculture/crops/rust/stem/rust-report/stem-ug99racettksk/en/

Suspected path for wind-introduction of Ug99 in India during March, 2012

Jet Stream map during 23rd March, 2012

Reference: http://metdweather.blogspot.in/

Jet Stream map during 31st March, 2012

Reference: http://metdweather.blogspot.in/

Historic Spread of Ug99 up to 2009

http://www.fao.org/agriculture/crops/rust/stem/rust-report/stem-ug99racettksk/en/

REFERENCE

• http://www.globalrust.org/traction?type=home&proj=*

• http://www.popsci.com/environment/article/2009-03/rust-food-supply

• http://www.wired.com/magazine/2010/02/ff_ug99_fungus/all/1