South American Wheat Blast Fungus rapidly spreading to Asia and Africa: Scientists

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wheatblast

New Delhi: Another new threat may arise in front of the people fighting the challenges of the Corona epidemic (COVID-19). It can also become the cause of the starvation of billions of people. Already, sudden weather changes, global pandemics, and changes in weather are threatening the world with famine. Wheat, one of the most important food crops, is reportedly at risk of a blast disease epidemic, according to a group of scientists. Used to be. According to the findings of his research, South American Wheat Blast Fungus is spreading rapidly in Asia and Africa.

According to a study, on average, more than 20 percent of the yield is lost due to pests and diseases in wheat. Wheat is currently threatened by a blast epidemic caused by the ascomycete fungus Magnaporthe oryzae. This fungus can ruin the entire crop.

The case first came in Brazil
The disease first appeared in Brazil in 1985 but has also been reported in Bangladesh and Zambia in the last few years. In 2016, this outbreak caused a 51 percent yield loss in Bangladesh. The authors of the study say that the favorable climate present in the three continents may have led to the spread of the fungus. This can pose a big threat to global food security. Climate change and the challenges of agriculture can also make the situation worse.

wheatblast

The Independent quoted one of the authors of the study, Professor Nick Talbot of the Sainsbury Laboratory, as saying, ‘Only by studying the pathogen and the cause of these diseases can we find ways to prevent and control it. We should believe that this disease occurring in trees can spread all over the world. After this, change in weather and globalization is also the main reason. We should be prepared for this danger.

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