Biotech Updates

New Partnership to Combat Wheat Killer UG99

August 28, 2009

A virulent strain of the wheat rust disease is on a global march, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. Originating in Uganda (hence the name UG99) and having made its way to the Arabic Peninsula, the disease caused by the fungus Puccinia graminis now threatens the wheat mega-producing countries of Central Asia. A new partnership has been formed that aims to develop wheat varieties that can better resist the dreaded fungus. Syngenta AG, the Syngenta Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture (SFSA) and the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) will work together to identify and map genetic markers for use in wheat resistance breeding. The marker data arising from the research will be made available to the public.

SFSA said in a press release that the research collaboration will "combine Syngenta's plant genetic profiling expertise with the strengths of CIMMYT's extensive field research to develop a genetic map of wheat stem rust resistance." SFSA will be funding the project.

CIMMYT Director General Thomas Lumpkin noted that the Center is "very pleased to enter the new partnership." Lumpkin said, wheat yields need to rise 1.6 percent each year to reach required global production levels by 2020, yet investments in wheat technology have lagged far behind those for other cereals.

The press release is available at http://www.syngentafoundation.org/db/1/821.pdf