First report of Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici Ug99 in Nepal
The wheat stem rust fungus Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici Ug99* (strain TTKTT) is reported for the first time from Nepal. The presence of the Ug99 race group was confirmed by laboratory tests on 2 samples which had been collected in early November 2023 from off-season wheat crops in Dolakha district. It is noted that the disease was present at a very low level in the fields concerned. In addition, these wheat fields were fodder crops which were cut soon after the detection to minimize the risk of spread. Extensive surveys will continue in 2024 in wheat-producing areas in Nepal. It is noted that this is also the first record of Ug99 in South Asia.
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* The Ug99 race group of P. graminis f. sp. tritici is a lineage of wheat stem rust that is able to overcome a number of resistance genes of wheat varieties previously resistant to the disease. This race group has been found in several countries in Africa and the Middle East (see also RS 2008/147, 2016/108, 2021/088).
Sources
CIMMYT (2024-04-03) Successful surveillance results in early first detection of Ug99 in South Asia. https://www.cimmyt.org/news/successful-surveillance-results-in-early-first-detection-of-ug99-in-south-asia/