Durable Rust Resistance in Wheat

Objective 4: Supporting Critical Rust Screening Facilities in East Africa

Protection of world wheat through development of varieties with durable resistance to Ug99 requires expansion of recently initiated collaborative research in East Africa. All activities that require accurate phenotyping of adult plants require these critical facilities in the center of origin of new and dangerous forms of stem and yellow rust. Significant investments were made in Kenya to monitor the occurrence of cereal rust variants both by Canada (until the 1970s) and CIMMYT (until the 1990s). The occurrence of Ug99 and its virulence on most currently cultivated varieties world wide has brought this region back into focus as a critical component of the world’s wheat research system. In collaboration with CIMMYT and ICARDA scientists, research conducted since 2005 at the Kenyan Agriculture Institute’s (KARI) Njoro Research Center and several facilities of the Ethiopian Institute of Agriculture Research (EIAR) was instrumental in establishing the true scope of the threat posed by Ug99. Wheat producing nations throughout the world participated in testing the reaction of wheat (over 20,000 research plots) in both the main and off seasons in Kenya and Ethiopia since 2005. This effort documented global wheat vulnerability to the Ug99 lineage, determined which of the named stem rust genes are effective against Ug99, and revealed the existence of minor gene adult plant resistance. This groundwork has also established once again the value and practicality of operations in East Africa.

This Objective is designed to expand the capacity of KARI and EIAR to phenotype wheat genetic resources in support of the overarching objective of development and adoption of wheat with durable rust resistance. Fully operational critical facilities in East Africa require investments in field, greenhouse, and laboratory facilities and equipment, as well as operational support for national and international scientists. These critical facilities will enable management and manipulation of large numbers of genetic stocks (or isolates) of both host and pathogen. Twelve hectares of irrigated land will be dedicated to this work (4 hectares available per season to accommodate a 3-year rotation) at Njoro, Kenya, and 3 hectares per season will be used at Debre Zeit in Ethiopia. Pathogen management (inoculum production, etc.) will be done at Njoro for the Kenya operation, while that work will be done at a central rust laboratory at Ambo in Ethiopia. Ambo also will be provided resources to enable race typing. Njoro will be the primary bread-wheat phenotyping site and Debra Zeit will be the primary durum-wheat phenotyping site. The project will support critical facility teams composed of KARI (Kenya) and EIAR scientists. A CIMMYT scientist posted to Kenya will have overall responsibility for operations in both countries.

This Objective is designed to service the entire world, but East African farmers and consumers will be direct and early beneficiaries since the targeted capabilities and activities will be aligned with the specialized needs of both Kenya and Ethiopia.

Objective 4: Supporting Critical Rust Screening Facilities in East Africa
Activities	Outputs	Outcomes (Short- and Long-Term)
Activity 4.1 Expand and coordinate the capacity of KARI and EIAR to accurately phenotype wheat genetic resources for reaction to stem rust Ug99 and derivatives.	Infrastructure, equipment, human resources, and operational protocols established for 1) timely exchanges of information and seed with international partners; and 2) maintainence of and characterization of stem rust isolates from Kenya or Ethiopia; 3) managed epiphytotics induced by inoculum of appropriate pathotypes.	The KARI and EIAR Critical Facilities are fully operational world-class facilities, which are critical-path components of a global wheat improvement effort to defend against Ug99.
Activity 4.2 Conduct common wheat phenotyping at KARI's Njoro Research Center.	Timely return of data on adult plant responses to stem and yellow rusts for breeding and research materials (primarily common wheat), and/or seed of selected progeny.	Breeders and geneticists at KARI, EIAR, CG Centers, Advanced Research Institutes (ARIs), and NARs are able to accelerate and expand efforts to identify, genetically characterize, validate, and deploy new and durable resistances to Ug99 and other rusts. As a result, farmers are growing varieties with durable resistance (including minor gene, Adult Plant Resistances) to rusts. Failure to achieve this objective disables the world’s ability to defend itself against Ug99.
Activity 4.3 Conduct durum wheat phenotyping at EIAR's Debra Zeit Research Center with inoculum generated at EIAR's Ambo station.	Timely return of data on adult plant responses to stem and yellow rusts for breeding and research materials (primarily durum wheat), and/or seed of selected progeny.	Breeders and geneticists at KARI, EIAR, CG Centers, Advanced Research Institutes (ARIs), and NARs are able to accelerate and expand efforts to identify, genetically characterize, validate, and deploy new and durable resistances to Ug99 and other rusts. As a result, farmers are growing varieties with durable resistance (including minor gene, Adult Plant Resistances) to rusts. Failure to achieve this objective disables the world’s ability to defend itself against Ug99.
Activity 4.4 Provide in-service learning opportunities for KARI and EIAR staff	KARI and EIAR staff gain contemporary skills in pathotyping, field scoring, pathogen management, and IWIS data management system; KARI and EIAR scientists participate in International meetings.	Scientists and staff at critical facilities in Kenya and Ethiopia possess skill sets enabling publication quality data collection, and data management in IWIS.