Molecular Pathogens 2024, Vol.15, No.3, 106-118 http://microbescipublisher.com/index.php/mp 107 2 Overview of Wheat Diseases 2.1 Common diseases affecting wheat Wheat, a staple food crop globally, is susceptible to a variety of diseases that significantly impact its yield and quality. Among the most prevalent and damaging diseases are the rusts, including leaf rust (Puccinia triticina), stem rust (Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici), and stripe rust (Puccinia striiformis) (Maré et al., 2020; Figlan et al., 2020; Mapuranga et al., 2022). These rust diseases are notorious for their ability to rapidly evolve and overcome resistance genes, posing a continuous threat to wheat production (Luo et al., 2021; Mapuranga et al., 2022). Another significant disease is Fusariumhead blight (FHB), caused by Fusariumspecies, which not only reduces yield but also contaminates the grain with mycotoxins, making it unsafe for consumption (Maré et al., 2020). Additionally, wheat is affected by other fungal diseases such as septoria, eyespot, and powdery mildew, which further complicate disease management strategies (Johnson, 2004; Summers and Brown, 2013). 2.2 Impact on wheat production The impact of these diseases on wheat production is profound. Rust diseases alone can cause yield losses of up to 70% in severe epidemics, leading to significant economic losses and food insecurity (Luo et al., 2021; Mapuranga et al., 2022). The continuous emergence of new pathogen races exacerbates this problem, as previously effective resistance genes become obsolete (Babu et al., 2020; Mapuranga et al., 2022). Fusarium head blight not only reduces yield but also affects grain quality due to mycotoxin contamination, which poses health risks to humans and animals (Maré et al., 2020). The economic burden of these diseases is substantial, as farmers often resort to chemical control methods, which increase production costs and can have adverse environmental effects (Figlan et al., 2020; Luo et al., 2023). Moreover, the reliance on fungicides can lead to the development of resistant pathogen strains, further complicating disease management (Luo et al., 2023). 2.3 Traditional control methods Traditional control methods for wheat diseases have primarily relied on the use of chemical fungicides and the development of resistant cultivars through conventional breeding techniques. Chemical control, while effective, is not sustainable in the long term due to the high costs, environmental impact, and the potential for pathogens to develop resistance (Figlan et al., 2020; Luo et al., 2023). Conventional breeding for disease resistance has been a cornerstone of wheat disease management. This approach involves selecting and cross-breeding wheat varieties that exhibit resistance to specific diseases. Over the years, numerous resistance genes have been identified and incorporated into commercial wheat cultivars (Maré et al., 2020; Mapuranga et al., 2022; Jabran et al., 2023). However, the effectiveness of these resistance genes is often short-lived due to the rapid evolution of pathogen virulence (Mapuranga et al., 2022). To address these challenges, integrated disease management strategies are being developed. These strategies combine the use of resistant cultivars, chemical control, and agronomic practices such as crop rotation and residue management to reduce disease pressure (Figlan et al., 2020; Mapuranga et al., 2022). Additionally, advances in molecular breeding techniques, such as marker-assisted selection (MAS), quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping, and genome editing, are being employed to develop wheat varieties with durable resistance to multiple diseases (Figure 1) (Babu et al., 2020; Jabran et al., 2023; Luo et al., 2023). Wheat diseases pose a significant threat to global wheat production, necessitating the development of effective and sustainable control methods. While traditional control methods have provided some relief, the integration of advanced molecular breeding techniques holds promise for developing wheat cultivars with durable resistance to a broad spectrum of diseases. This integrated approach is essential for ensuring the long-term sustainability of wheat production and global food security.
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