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Fungus Poised to Kill Off World's Wheat

US scientists race to find plants resistant to the Ug99 fungus

By Katherine Thompson,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 14, 2009 6:02 PM CDT
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(Newser) – A rust-colored fungus could destroy 80% of the world's wheat crops in a few years unless scientists counter it with genetically resistant strains, the Los Angeles Times reports. The Ug99 fungus—an ancient wheat-killer that rose up again in Africa 10 years ago—is already threatening 19% of the world's wheat and becoming more virulent as it spreads. "It's a time bomb," one analyst said.

Scientists are breeding Ug99-resistant wheat that will take 9 to 12 years to incorporate into breeding techniques—while the fungus, which is air-borne, can simply ride to other countries on the clothes of an airline passenger. Experts say it is poised to enter India and Pakistan, then China and Russia. North America can't be far off. "A significant humanitarian crisis is inevitable," said one researcher.


Palestinian farmer, Hhmed Al-Rayan, 63, harvests wheat on a field in the West Bank village of Beit Nuba on the outskirts of Ramallah, Saturday, May. 30. 2009.
Palestinian farmer, Hhmed Al-Rayan, 63, harvests wheat on a field in the West Bank village of Beit Nuba on the outskirts of Ramallah, Saturday, May. 30. 2009.   (AP Photo/Muhammed Muheisen)
In this file photo taken Wednesday, June 18, 2008, wheat stand ready for harvest in a field near Hazelton, Kan.
In this file photo taken Wednesday, June 18, 2008, wheat stand ready for harvest in a field near Hazelton, Kan.   (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner, File)
The world's leading crop scientists have warned that a deadly airborne fungus Ug99 could devastate wheat harvests in countries including India and lead to famines and civil unrest.
The world's leading crop scientists have warned that a deadly airborne fungus Ug99 could devastate wheat harvests in countries including India and lead to famines and civil unrest.   (AP Photo/Ajit Solanki)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 10 comments
Derni
Jun 15, 2009 12:32 PM CDT
Th ereal story is that a major producer of hybrid wheat seed decided to change things-changing the seed nade the wheat more prone to attack by fungus and other diseases-so the cokmpnay-not to be named-is responsible for this.
Doctor-Zaius
Jun 15, 2009 7:56 AM CDT
There's a fungus among us.
Observer
Jun 15, 2009 6:07 AM CDT
Bioweapons research includes crop killers. You'd hate to think a delusional scientist would do something like let a bioweapon loose on the public? Sci-Fi fantasy? No, it happened with Anthrax already. The mad scientists have been tinkering with bugs and genetics for 40 years now. They have brewed some insanely dangerous concoctions. Now they are synthesizing life through gene recombination. The Feds think it's a great idea to spread the research across the US in new labs. This gives more reason to worry. How safe will these places be? And who's watching the watchers? Stop weaponizing organisms.

African researchers find ray of hope
The East African

More on the genetic research
AgNews

 
fungus • wheat • crops • genetic research • Uganda • Ug99 • stem rust

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