Biotech Updates

Wheat Rust Fungus Spreads from East Africa to Yemen

April 20, 2007

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) confirmed the presence of a more virulent strain of Ug99 in wheat fields in Yemen. The fungus has spread from East Africa to Yemen on the Arabian Peninsula. There is a high risk that the disease could also spread to Sudan. It is estimated that as much as 80 percent of all wheat varieties planted in Asia and Africa are susceptible to this new strain.

 Read the complete press release at http://www.fao.org/newsroom/en/news/2007/1000537/index.html.