Using genetic resistance to combat pest and disease threats

Summary Wheat diseases and pests account for a high degree of grain losses and quality degradation in the UK to an extent varying from year to year according to the particular threats in any year. As climate change is expected to continue to occur in the future, threats from both known and new diseases and pests are likely to increase. This factor, combined with resistance to current fungicides and the current obstacles to new pesticide product registration, will intensify the need for plant breeding to provide major genetic solutions to the control of diseases and pests. The combination of genetic resistance and chemistry will provide growers and end users with opportunities to maximise grain production and enhance grain quality as well as producing wheat in a sustainable manner.