Durable Rust Resistance in Wheat

Objective 3: Tracking Wheat Rust Pathogens

Directed, optimized mitigation of the threat of stem rust to resource poor farmers cannot be achieved without vigilant monitoring of the incidence and nature of stem rust in countries thought to be Ug99-free today, and in those where Ug99 is already established. The stark fact is that today, we do not know how far Ug99 or its derivates have migrated. Lack of this knowledge impedes resolution and adoption of appropriate national and international policies, investments, and strategies in plant protection, plant breeding, seed systems, and research on the stem rust pathogen.

Currently no framework exists for acquiring and sharing data on incidence, severity, and genetic composition of stem rust infections in the developing world. Likewise, there is no singular source of information on the spatial and temporal distribution of wheat (or wheat varieties) in these regions through the course of a year. Combined, these deficiencies preclude directed, efficient action by scientists and policy makers tasked with mitigating the threat to cereal production posed by wheat stem rust.

This Objective seeks to correct these deficiencies by establishment of a Global Cereal Rust Monitoring System (GCRMS), which will network capabilities and operations in the Middle East, North Africa, Asia, and Africa.

Following the organizational model and data flows of the UN-FAO Desert Locust Monitoring system, the GCRMS will be composed of a UN-FAO based International Focal Point (IFP), NARS supported National Surveillance Teams (drawn from both Plant Protection and Research Institutions), a Coordinating Pathologist based at the U. of Sydney, and various international partners including ICARDA, CIMMYT, USDA-ARS, U. of Free State (South Africa) and Agriculture Agri-Foods Canada.

The information platform and associated baseline datasets (e.g., spatial and temporal aspects of wheat production) will be generated by ICARDA, CIMMYT, and the FAO IFP in partnership with the NARS (Activity 3.1). National Surveillance Teams will be provided training on standardized protocols for collection of geo-referenced survey data and samples (Activities 3.1 and 3.2). NFPs will coordinate in-country sample preservation; where possible, in-country analysis of data; and transfer of data to the International Focal Point based at the FAO. NFPs will also facilitate where possible in-country virulence detection, race analysis, and DNA fingerprinting of stem rust samples; and host resistance gene detection with host plant samples. Host resistance gene detection (by DNA markers) is an indirect means of postulating the virulence(s) carried by stem rust at a given survey point.

The GCRMS and associated training, field work, and sample analyses described here all focus on stem rust. The system will, however, be designed to accommodate eventual inclusion of similar activities with yellow and leaf rusts of wheat. This approach enhances the likelihood of success and ensures focus on the new threat posed by stem rust Ug99. During Phase I of the project, primary emphasis will be placed on creating a system that can report the distribution and nature of stem rust.

Objective 3: Tracking Wheat Rust Pathogens
Activities	Outputs	Outcomes (Short and Long Term)
3.1 Develop the information platform underpinning a global rust monitoring system: At the field, national, and global levels standardized protocols, methods & systems put in place for data/sample collection and management	Standardized protocols and methods for undertaking field surveys (including sampling) and preliminary virulence testing; followed by transmission of data and samples to national & international focal points. Databases and data management systems at the national and international levels to store and analyze cereal rust data from surveys and follow-on national or international analyses of pathogen and host samples.	Uniform data acquisition and storage protocols are employed for stem rust in a Global Cereal Rust Monitoring System.
3.2 Develop national capacity to undertake effective pathogen tracking and monitoring: Identify and train both field surveyors and national information system managers in cereal rust survey (including sampling) techniques	NARS staff enabled/organized to contribute geo-referenced survey data and associated samples to international tracking/monitoring system through Baseline Survey Planning Workshop (March 08). Baseline Survey conducted on 07/08 crop; enabling baseline information on distribution and nature (fingerprint/race/virulence) of stem rust, and where appropriate, R genes in major varieties in target region. Full survey generated data/samples integrated into Global Cereal Rust Monitoring System in 08/09 and subsequent crops enabling monitoring of distribution and nature (fingerprint/race/virulence) of stem rust, and where appropriate, R genes in major varieties in target region.	National Surveillance Teams are conducting annual surveys using uniform protocols enabling National Focal Point persons to manage data streams contributing to information in a Global Cereal Rust Monitoring System.
3.3 Operationalize and implement a Global Cereal Rust Monitoring System: Transform regular field survey data into targeted dissemination products, through integrated data management and analysis in a spatial framework.	A functional global cereal rust monitoring system comprised of an International Focal Point at the FAO and National Focal Points within NARS is receiving regular field survey data and follow-on quality assured pathogen/host data originating from at least 7 priority countries; undertaking integrated spatial analysis to determine status/nature and likely movements of stem rust populations; and disseminating a range of web-based information products on a quarterly basis.	Resource poor farmers have greater food and livelihood securities because policy makers and scientists use products of the Global Cereal Rust Monitoring System based at FAO to make informed and timely decisions on research priorities/investments in wheat protection and improvement (including gene deployment).
3.4 Pathogen Race and Host Resistance gene distribution: Establish the current distribution of ‘Ug99’ lineage, monitor spread, examine evolution of virulence and determine implications for current wheat cultivars.	Pathogen (fingerprint/race/virulences) and host (resistance genes) characteristics of survey samples generated at NARS and ARIs; and integrated into the Global Cereal Rust Monitoring System after vetting moderated by the Coordinating Pathologist at U. of Sydney.	The Global Cereal Rust Monitoring System has up-to-date information on the nature and distribution of stem rust races and wheat rust resistance genes.