Climate Change and Wheat Blast

• Recently, a new study has been published titled-Production vulnerability to wheat blast disease under climate change, which has warned of links between warming Climate and the fungal plant disease Wheat Blast (WB).

What is a Wheat Blast Disease (WB)?

• About:
• Wheat blast disease is a highly destructive fungal infection that primarily affects wheat crops.
• It poses a significant threat to food security and safety, particularly in tropical regions of South America and South Asia.

Impact on Wheat Crops:

• The fungus directly targets the wheat ear, causing it to shrivel and deform within a remarkably short period, often less than a week from the first symptoms.
• This rapid onset leaves farmers with little time to respond, leading to substantial yield losses.
• Wheat blast spreads through various means, including infected seeds, crop residues, and airborne spores capable of traveling long distances.

What are the Measures to Combat Wheat Blast?

• The wheat blast-resistant varieties produced by CIMMYT (International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre) in collaboration with National Agricultural Research Systems partners have proven useful in reducing the impact of wheat blast.
• Developing and promoting wheat varieties resistant to wheat blast is a critical aspect of mitigating the impact of this devastating disease. Examples of wheat varieties that exhibit resistance to wheat blast, including Rmg8 and 2NS

Practice Questions for Prelims

With reference to micro-irrigation, which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. Fertilizer/nutrient loss can be reduced.
2. It is the only means of irrigation in dry land farming
3. In some areas of farming, receding of ground water table can be checked.

a) 1 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans. c)

Mains Practice Question

Discuss the emergence and implications of wheat blast disease in the context of global food security and agricultural sustainability. Propose effective strategies to enhance resilience and mitigate the risks posed by wheat blast to ensure food security and sustainable agriculture.

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