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- According to a study published in the Journal of Plant Pathology,there are high chances of spread of extremely virulent strains of fungus that causes yellow rust in wheat.
- The situation is particularly grim in India as the bread wheat cultivar HD267 that currently occupies 10 to 12 million hectare(ha) area is susceptible to these new strains.
- Yellow rust disease of wheat also known as stripe rust of wheat is a disease caused by fungus Puccinia.It is frequently found in cold wheat growing regions such as North Western Plains Zone and Northern Hills Zone.
- This infection is capable of causing up to 70% decline in wheat yields as it causes reduction of kernel numbers per spike and decreases the weight of wheat kernels.
- This disease was first detected in India during 2013-2014.The three strains of Yellow rust (110S119, 238S119 and 110S84) are now aggressively growing in numbers.
- Currently used wheat cultivars in India have a part of rye chromosome which confers resistance to yellow rust and powdery mildew disease. Over the years,the strains of fungus which can infect these resistant cultivars have become prominent and are spreading.




