New study advances durable stripe rust resistance in wheat

We report new advances in improving resistance to stripe rust, a major disease affecting wheat production. Our study shows that combining adult-plant resistance genes, including Yr78 and Yr36, significantly enhances disease protection across diverse wheat backgrounds under field conditions. This work was conducted in collaboration with the teams of Dr. Jorge Dubcovsky and Dr. Xianming Chen, integrating expertise in genetics, breeding, and disease phenotyping. By combining field-based evaluation with genetic analysis, we provide a practical strategy for developing wheat varieties with durable resistance, supporting growers with more stable yields and reduced reliance on fungicides.