Israeli researchers isolate wheat genes that make it disease-resistant

Good news!

"An international research team that includes researchers from Tel Aviv University isolated three disease-resistance wheat genes from wild grasses, creating resistance to rust diseases that cause severe damage to global wheat yields. ... The project was made possible by several technological innovations that drastically cut down the time needed to identify and isolate genes from wild plant species and transfer them into cultivated plants.

The three genes were isolated from plants preserved in Tel Aviv University’s Liberman Okinow Gene Bank of Wild Cereals at the Institute for Cereal Crops Research (ICCR). Two of the genes, providing immunity against stem rust disease, were isolated by an international team led by researchers from the UK.

The third gene, isolated by Tel Aviv University scientists, provides resistance against two different diseases – leaf rust and stripe rust ...
Tel Aviv University's gene bank includes more than 17,000 seeds of 20 different species of wild cereals that have been collected in Israel over the past 50 years. ..."

Israeli researchers isolate wheat genes that make it disease-resistant - The Jerusalem Post One of the genes provides resistance against two different diseases – leaf rust and stripe rust, which are now spreading because of rising temperatures around the world.

Making Wheat Rust-Resistant Researchers respond to the global food crisis by enabling resistance of wheat to rust diseases 

Researchers develop method for early detection of bacterial infection in crops

Good news! The revolution in agriculture continues!

"... Globally, bacterial pathogen infection in crop plants is one of the major contributors to agricultural yield losses. ...

The Raman spectral biomarkers and diagnostic algorithm enable the noninvasive and early diagnosis of bacterial infections in crop plants, which can be critical for the progress of plant disease management and agricultural productivity. ...
Traditionally, plant disease diagnosis involves a simple visual inspection of plants for disease symptoms and severity. “Visual inspection methods are often ineffective, as disease symptoms usually manifest only at relatively later stages of infection, when the pathogen load is already high and reparative measures are limited. ..."

SMART researchers develop method for early detection of bacterial infection in crops | MIT News | Massachusetts Institute of Technology The Raman spectroscopy-based method enables early detection and quantification of pathogens in plants, to enhance plant disease management.

Rapid Detection and Quantification of Plant Innate Immunity Response Using Raman Spectroscopy (open access)