Fusarium is one of the most feared fungi in grains. Breeding is working hard on resistant or at least resilient varieties of grains, but so far with varying degrees of success. But the breeders are on the right track to eradicate fungus infestation of grain.
Aarfusarium can, among other things, cause lower yields, reduced baking quality and the formation of mycotoxins in grains. It is therefore no wonder that breeders would like to have a fusarium-resistant variety in the program. And research from the University of Illinois shows that significant progress has been made in this area in the past 20 years with the cross-breeding of crucial genes. And if breeding continues at this pace, fusarium can be eradicated in 40 years.
Traditional breeding
The researchers infected both existing resistant varieties and new lines with the fungus. To determine the degree of contamination, the amount of deoxynivalenol in granules was measured. Over more than 20 years and over more than 1.000 varieties, it appears that resilience increased. "I don't think anyone realizes it, but we can eliminate spike fusarium," said Jessica Rutkoski, a professor in the Illinois Department of Plant Sciences in Plant Disease. “Forty years sounds like a long time, but it means that by the time I retire, ear fusarium will no longer be a problem.”
The results are a boost for traditional breeding, according to Rutkoski. "It is a quantitative resistance. There is not one gene that provides a solution." With new distribution techniques such as CRISPR-Cas, breeders look for one specific gene that is responsible for a major change in a plant. Rutkoski hopes that this study will help ensure that there remains sufficient support for traditional breeding programs, partly financed with public money.