Stephen Wegulo, a plant pathologist specializing in wheat disease epidemiology and management at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, visited Morocco to meet with researchers and leaders from the National Institute for Agricultural Research. Fungus-enabled plant diseases like root rot, crown rot, and head blight raise serious concerns for wheat producers worldwide. Wegulo focuses his research on the Fusarium genus of fungi associated with these diseases.
Fusarium head blight, for instance, significantly reduces yield and renders the grain unsuitable for human and animal consumption due to the production of harmful mycotoxins by the fungus. In the United States, grain elevators decrease payment when mycotoxin levels exceed a specific threshold, and if the mycotoxin presence exceeds federally designated limits, the wheat is entirely rejected.
Wheat disease research is vital for Morocco as well, where grains like wheat and barley are the country's primary agricultural products and crucial food sources for the population. However, significant yield reductions and mycotoxin contamination from wheat diseases hamper agricultural productivity in Morocco and pose risks to public health.
Through collaboration, Fatiha Bentata, a plant pathologist from Morocco's National Institute for Agricultural Research, worked with Wegulo on wheat research during her visit to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. They studied Fusarium fungal isolates to determine differences in disease-causing potential on wheat roots and tested various wheat varieties for resistance to root and crown rot caused by the Fusarium fungus.
Some wheat varieties exhibited significant resistance, while others were highly susceptible. The researchers also identified more aggressive fungus isolates causing greater root rot. This research offers a general approach to identifying wheat varieties with improved resistance to Fusarium-related diseases.
Future research will investigate whether a wheat variety's increased resistance to root and crown rot can also confer resistance to Fusarium head blight. The goal is to find varieties that resist the disease while demonstrating good agronomic performance.
The ongoing collaboration opens possibilities for sustained academic exchange between the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and Morocco. Graduate student exchanges and the opportunity to study in different environments are being discussed. The intention is to mentor students, expose them to diverse research techniques, and enrich their academic experience.
Photo Credit: istock-zhaojiankang
Categories: Nebraska, Crops, Wheat, Education