Farms.com Home   News

Scientists Identify Wheat Genetically Resistant to Fungus Causing Snow Mold

Scientists Identify Wheat Genetically Resistant to Fungus Causing Snow Mold

Scientists from six research institutions in Russia led by RUDN University have identified wheat genotypes resistant to the dangerous fungal pathogen Microdochium nivale that infects plants before the snow melts and reduces yields.

Wheat varieties that are resistant to snow mold were discovered in the plant genetic resources collection of the Vavilov All-Russian Institute of Plant Genetic Resources. This collection contains up to 1,085 samples from each year's crops. The researchers took data for 15 years (1978-2021) and found infected samples in 10 of them. They also found 12 genotypes in the collection resistant to snow mold. The researchers also identified the factors contributing to the disease's development. They analyzed the weather conditions in the 15-year study and found that abiotic factors weakened the plants' immunity, which affected their ability to cope with the pathogen.

Click here to see more...

Trending Video

How Can We Grow More Food With Less Impact?

Video: How Can We Grow More Food With Less Impact?

For over two decades, Dr. Mitloehner has been at the forefront of research on how animal agriculture affects our air and our climate. With deep expertise in emissions and volatile organic compounds, his work initially focused on air quality in regions like California’s Central Valley—home to both the nation’s richest agricultural output and some of its poorest air quality.

In recent years, methane has taken center stage in climate discourse—not just scientifically, but politically. Once a topic reserved for technical discussions about manure management and feed efficiency, it has become a flashpoint in debates over sustainability, regulation, and even the legitimacy of livestock farming itself.

Dr. Frank Mitloehner, Professor and Air Quality Specialist with the CLEAR Center sits down with Associate Director for Communications at the CLEAR Center, Joe Proudman.