Scientists push for smarter wheat rust surveillance

Experts say resilient crop varieties to help safeguard wheat production

FAISALABAD:

Agricultural experts have called for the establishment of a national early warning system for wheat rust, accelerated development of rust-resistant wheat varieties and stronger breeding programmes to safeguard Pakistan's food security.

They also warned that early rust infections can reduce wheat yields by more than 50% in susceptible cultivars.

The recommendations were made during a dissemination seminar on the project, Towards an Early Warning System for Wheat Rust in Pakistan, organised by the Centre for Advanced Studies at the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF).

Speaking at the seminar, Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture Dr Ghulam Murtaza described wheat as the cornerstone of Pakistan's food security and the staple diet of millions of people.

"When we describe wheat as a staple crop, it is not merely a slogan. History shows that crop failures have repeatedly led to famines, particularly across the subcontinent and Africa. Protecting wheat production is directly linked to ensuring national food security," he said.

He stressed that the value of a wheat variety should not be judged solely by its yield potential but also by its ability to resist rust diseases over an extended period.

"A high-yielding variety has limited value if it quickly becomes susceptible to rust. The success of a breeding programme lies in developing varieties that combine high productivity with durable resistance and perform consistently under farmers' field conditions," he said.

Dr Murtaza warned that wheat rust remained one of the world's most destructive crop diseases because its microscopic spores can travel hundreds of kilometres through wind currents before symptoms become visible.