August 21, 2003

Although limited by drought in its first year in Western Australia (WA), stripe rust established in some areas during 2002 to cut yields by as much as half.

While a wetter 2003 growing season has relieved most crops from the rigours of drought, it has created favourable conditions for potentially greater rust development.

WA’s exotic strain of stripe rust, yet to re-appear in crops this season, presents a new challenge for scientists attempting to breed resistant varieties.

The Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) has supported a collaboration between the WA Department of Agriculture and the Australian Cereal Rust Control Program at the University of Sydney to protect WA wheat varieties against this virulent disease.

Besides stripe rust, expanded efforts at the Department are also incorporating strategies to build new resistances to stem and leaf rust.

Growers wanting to know more about how plant breeders are tackling rust in WA should watch out for the next issue of ‘Ground Cover’, which features a special disease supplement. ‘Ground Cover’ will be circulated by the GRDC to Australia’s 45,000 growers early in September.

According to plant pathologist, Dr Robert Loughman, Department efforts are underpinned by an accelerated back-crossing program to develop resistant versions of high-performing, but previously susceptible advanced lines.

The advanced soft wheat line, WAWHT2248, is among the material being back-crossed for rapid recovery of rust resistant combinations.