Wheat blast: from its origins in South America to its emergence as a global threat

• Published in: Molecular plant pathology Vol. 20; no. 2; pp. 155 - 172
• Main Authors: Ceresini, Paulo Cezar, Castroagudín, Vanina Lilián, Rodrigues, Fabrício Ávila, Rios, Jonas Alberto, Aucique‐Pérez, Carlos Eduardo, Moreira, Silvino Intra, Croll, Daniel, Alves, Eduardo, de Carvalho, Giselle, Maciel, João Leodato Nunes, McDonald, Bruce Alan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England John Wiley & Sons, Inc 01.02.2019; John Wiley and Sons Inc
• Subjects: Agricultural production; Bangladesh; Blast; Cereal crops; Explosions; infection physiology; integrated disease management; International economic relations; international quarantine; origin and diversification; Plant Diseases - microbiology; population biology and epidemiology; Pyricularia graminis‐tritici; Pyricularia grisea - pathogenicity; Review; South America; Triticum - microbiology; Wheat; Wheat industry; South America; Bangladesh; Brazil; international quarantine; infection physiology; population biology and epidemiology; integrated disease management; origin and diversification; Pyricularia graminis-tritici
• ISSN: 1464-6722; 1364-3703
• DOI: 10.1111/mpp.12747

Summary Wheat blast was first reported in Brazil in 1985. It spread rapidly across the wheat cropping areas of Brazil to become the most important biotic constraint on wheat production in the region. The alarming appearance of wheat blast in Bangladesh in 2016 greatly increased the urgency to understand this disease, including its causes and consequences. Here, we summarize the current state of knowledge of wheat blast and aim to identify the most important gaps in our understanding of the disease. We also propose a research agenda that aims to improve the management of wheat blast and limit its threat to global wheat production.