Abstract

“WHEAT BLAST DISEASE: CURRENT UNDERSTANDING AND CHALLENGES IN GLOBAL CONTAINMENT”

Adity Pooran Mal*, Ashwani Kumar Verma

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Abstract

Wheat blast, caused by the pathotype Triticum of Magnaporthe oryzae (syn. Pyricularia oryzae), has become one of the most harmful diseases, posing a significant risk to worldwide wheat output and food safety. First identified in Brazil in 1985, the disease has quickly spread to South America, Bangladesh, and Africa, sparking concerns about its potential arrival in India. Wheat blast is well-known for inducing spike bleaching, shriveled kernels, and severe yield reductions that can hit 100% in optimal warm and humid conditions. In addition to its biological aggressiveness, shifting climate patterns and worldwide seed trade are hastening its proliferation. This review consolidates the existing knowledge of the disease cycle, epidemiology, and risk factors, while also emphasizing India’s readiness via surveillance, risk modeling, and efforts in resistance breeding. It also highlights the critical necessity for comprehensive disease management approaches—blending cultural methods, resistant cultivars, chemical defenses, and biological interventions. Safeguarding wheat against this imminent risk will demand joint research efforts, farmer education, and robust regional networks to ensure both food security and livelihoods.

Keywords: Wheat blast, Magnaporthe oryzae Triticum, Pyricularia oryzae, food security, epidemiology, integrated disease management, India.