New wheat variety battles fungal disease

By Scout Nelson

The University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL) has released a new wheat variety, NE Prism CLP, in response to the challenges posed by fusarium head blight, especially noted during an unusual outbreak in Nebraska’s Panhandle in 2023.

This new variety promises enhanced resistance to this and other fungal diseases, which are increasingly concerning for wheat producers.

The development came after Katherine Frels, UNL’s small grains breeder, and Stephen Wegulo, professor of plant pathology, noted an alarming number of calls last year from worried wheat growers in the Panhandle.

The farmers reported seeing their winter wheat kernels bleached and unhealthy-looking, a condition termed as 'tombstones' due to severe fungal damage primarily caused by fusarium head blight.

Nebraska's typically dry climate has not been a significant source of this disease, but in 2023, higher-than-average rainfall during wheat flowering stage created ideal conditions, a trend mirrored in neighboring states like Kansas and Colorado, raising concerns about potential increased outbreaks due to climate change.

Nebraska Extension plant pathologist Wegulo highlights that fusarium head blight risks are higher with consistent rain leading up to and during wheat flowering. He will discuss these climate-related disease shifts at an upcoming international conference in Athens, Greece.

The new variety, NE Prism CLP, not only provides resistance to fusarium head blight but also to stripe rust and stem rust, other significant threats to wheat. This development followed extensive field testing and was part of a response to Nebraska producers' request for a new Clearfield variety, which allows for more effective herbicide use without damaging the crop.

UNL’s proactive approach in developing NE Prism CLP involves a two-pronged strategy against diseases: genetic resistance and recommended fungicide application when conditions favor disease development. This is crucial as the disease is hard to detect before it severely impacts the crop, making prevention strategies key.

Julie Stevens, a research technologist, and Wegulo conduct extensive tests on potential new wheat lines, assessing resistance levels to ensure that only the most robust varieties are promoted. This work benefits significantly from federal support through the U.S. Wheat and Barley Scab Initiative, highlighting the critical nature of ongoing research and development in combating agricultural diseases.

This initiative not only marks a step forward in agricultural resilience against diseases but also adapts to the evolving challenges posed by climate change, ensuring that Nebraska remains at the forefront of agricultural innovation and security.

Photo Credit -gettyimages-ygrek