At the British Society of Plant Pathology conference held at the University of Oxford in 2024, Jade van Wijk presented on a collaborative project involving the Earlham Institute, Elsoms Wheat, the John Innes Centre, and the Natural History Museum in Norwich, UK. This research focused on Puccinia striiformis, the fungal pathogen responsible for Yellow Rust, a persistent and devastating disease in wheat crops that causes annual industry losses estimated at $1 billion globally.
Yellow Rust is particularly challenging to monitor as it thrives on living plant tissue, making early detection difficult. The team tackled this issue by employing the AirPrep Cub Sampler, a device celebrated for its high flow rate and easy portability, alongside genomic sequencing. The combined technologies allowed the researchers to track changes in fungal abundance across different seasons and locations. By analyzing these shifts, a predictive framework can be utilized to assess infection risks, enabling breeders and growers to apply treatments more effectively and reduce the disease’s impact.
This research exemplifies the transformative potential of AirSeq, a joint initiative by the Earlham Institute and the Natural History Museum in Norwich. AirSeq integrates the capabilities of AirPrep sampling and advanced sequencing technologies to revolutionize plant disease monitoring and management. Beyond its application in combating Yellow Rust, AirSeq holds promise for broader use cases for plant, animal, and human health.
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Sequencing the Air to Identify Cereal Rust Fungi Before They Decimate Crops
