ANTICIPATORY BREEDING FOR RESISTANCE TO RUST DISEASES IN WHEAT

Anticipatory resistance breeding is the process of predicting future p athotypes and producing resistant germplasm to avert future losses. It is made possible by a national pathotype surveillance program and kno wledge that new pathotypes arise predominantly from mutation in existi ng pathotypes. This is supported by genetic analyses to catalogue the identity and distribution of resistance genes in current cultivars. A national germplasm enhancement program ensuring that both currently ef fective and potentially new sources of resistance are available in a w ide range of adapted genotypes enables rapid cultivar replacement befo re or soon after the occurrence of new pathotypes. The policy of recom mending only rust-resistant cultivars in the more rust-prone areas has resulted in significant reductions in pathogen population size and va riability. With increased and more rapid international human travel an d transport, there is an increased threat of exotic pathotypes, the ef fects of which are more difficult to predict. As the frequency and mag nitude of epidemics decline, public awareness programs will be require d to achieve and maintain the use of rust resistance by the entire whe at industry.