New Test Offers Faster Detection of Wheat Blast in Africa

Researchers from the John Innes Centre have trained Tanzanian scientists to use rapid diagnostic tests to detect wheat blast, a fungal disease that threatens wheat production in Africa. The low-cost tests offer field laboratories a practical way to identify the fungus without expensive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) equipment.

The training, hosted by the Tanzanian Agricultural Research Institute (TARI), brought together 21 representatives from five institutions. It introduced loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assays, which can detect wheat blast in 30 minutes to one hour. The tests produce a color change when the pathogen is detected, helping researchers distinguish wheat blast from Fusarium head blight, a disease with similar symptoms.

With early detection, authorities can implement control measures to limit crop losses and protect farmers' livelihoods. “Wheat blast poses a major threat to wheat harvests across Africa, so we need better tools to accurately and rapidly track it,” said Professor Diane Saunders, John Innes Centre Group Leader. The research team plans to develop tests that require neither heating nor refrigerated reagents, making detection more accessible in rural areas.

For more information, read the article from John Innes Centre.