Cereal rust isolate categorisation proof-of-concept

Cereal rust diseases are caused by pathogenic fungi that often evolve rapidly into new virulent strains that render the genetic resistance in crops ineffective. This project aims to identify virulence genes in rust fungi that allow them to overcome resistance traits bred into crop cultivars. This information will be used in the development of rapid DNA screening tools to genetically characterise rust isolates by their virulence genotype, which will enhance rust surveillance capacity. Knowledge of virulence gene diversity in rust populations will allow risk assessment for the emergence of virulence to resistant cultivars and prioritization of more durable rust resistance sources in breeding and research programs. Ultimately this will lead to growers having access to cultivars with more effective and long-lasting rust resistance and reduce the impact of rust disease on grower profitability