The first international workshop on rice false smut puts research spotlight on an escalating plant disease

The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) welcomed key experts in plant pathology to the inaugural International Rice False Smut Consortium workshop, supported by the John Templeton Foundation, to address urgent issues affecting rice production caused by Rice False Smut disease. During this event, IRRI formally launched the International Rice False Smut Consortium, where 22 international organizations pledged their support by becoming members. 

In recent years, rice farming has encountered an escalating threat from false smut disease caused by the fungal pathogen Ustilaginoidea virens. Amplified by changing climate patterns and increased seed movement, this disease poses a substantial risk to high-yielding rice varieties. The molecular and genetic aspects of the pathogen biology, epidemiology, and host resistance remain unclear, creating a significant gap in agricultural research that demands urgent attention. 

The conference covers the global spread and economic implications of false smut, the biology and epidemiology of U. virens, protocols for screening for resistance, breeding for resistance, integrated disease management approaches, and leveraging technology and tools for genetic analysis of disease resistance or susceptibility, among other topics.  

 

Dr. Ajay Kohli, IRRI's Deputy Director General for Research, 

gives his opening remarks

The consortium aims to achieve several goals, including: 

1) The the creation of a dynamic knowledge exchange platform for sharing cutting-edge research, insights, and experiences related to false smut disease and its management; 

2) The establishment of an international working group of multidisciplinary experts to collaboratively explore solutions, share resources, and drive collective research efforts; and 

3) Formulating a comprehensive research roadmap to guide future investigations on false smut disease's molecular, genetic, and ecological aspects. 

In his welcoming message, Dr. Ajay Kohli, IRRI’s Deputy Director General for Research, noted the importance of a holistic approach to rice false smut research. He emphasized the importance of consulting key experts in other areas like agronomy, field, pathology, and socio-economics to ensure that all project bases are covered and that the impact of the initiatives is measured. 

The event hopes to raise awareness and highlight the importance of international teamwork against false smut disease in rice, create a framework for future research proposals and goals, and build partnerships among research institutions for collaborative efforts. The outcomes of this workshop and working group have the potential to shape research agenda, policy decisions, and on-the-ground practices in rice cultivation worldwide. 

The workshop runs from October 14 to 17, 2024. For more details, please contact Dr. Van Schepler-Luu at v.scheplerluu@irri.org.

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