Aspects of wheat rust research in Australia

A National Wheat Rust Control Program, that has operated in Australiasince 1975, provides national pathotype surveys for the three rustpathogens, undertakes ongoing searches for new sources of resistance andcarries out genetic analyses of these sources, and provides rust screeningand germplasm enhancement support for breeders. The program wasexpanded in the 1980s to address problems arising from the introductionof wheat stripe rust. A new form of stripe rust, described as barley grassstripe rust, was first detected in 1998. Although virulent on some wheatseedlings this new rust appears to be a greater threat to barley. Molecularmarkers are expected to make an increasing impact on our ability to selectthe gene combinations needed to enhance the durability of resistance.