1) Wheat is the largest crop in Pakistan's agriculture and economy, with production increasing over 500% since 1948. Wheat losses to diseases like rusts cost billions annually. 2) The Crop Diseases Research Institute was established in the 1950s to research rust diseases of wheat and barley, building on the pioneering work of S.F. Hassan. Norman Borlaug congratulated Pakistan on the new research station's potential to solve cereal problems. 3) Recent wheat varieties released in Pakistan like Pirsbak-2013 and Lillema-13 have shown high resistance to yellow rust in screening, but some older varieties like Galaxy-13 are ineffective against the disease. Continuous monitoring of rust pathogens remains important.

1. STATUS OF STRIPE RUST (PUCCINIA
STRIIFORMIS) IN PAKISTAN
ANJUM MUNIR
Crop Diseases Research Institute
Pakistan Agricultural Research Council
Islamabad, Pakistan

2. Wheat Scenario in Pakistan

3. Wheat: Economic Impact
 Largest Crop of Pakistan’s Food Security
 Wheat Production in the country increased by
598% and 129% increase in Area between
1948 to 2010
 A worth of Rs. 844 billion wheat is produced in
the country (1 US $ = Rs. 97)
 1% loss or gain in wheat production worth Rs.
8.4 billion

4. AREA PRODUCTION & YIELD OF WHEAT IN PAKISTAN
Year Area
(million ha)
Production
(million mt)
2004-05 8.36 21.61
2005-06 8.45 21.28
2006-07 8.58 23.29
2007-08 8.55 22.95
2008-09 9.05 24.03
2009-10 9.13 23.31
2010-11 8.89 24.10
2011-12 8.86 23.3
2012-13 8.70 24.30
2013-14 8.89 25.00
- Federal Committee on Agriculture, MinFA, GOP

5. Wheat Losses Due to Diseases in Pakistan
Diseases Years Loss (M Rs)
Wheat Rusts 1960’s 67
Leaf Rust 1978 2580
Complete Bunt 1960’s 11
Partial Bunt 1960’s 3
Loose Smut 1960’s 26
Yellow rust 1994 270

6. Pioneer of Cereal Rust Research
In Pakistan
S.F. Hassan
Crop Diseases Research Institute
‘Hassan is the Torch Bearer’
‘ We are the followers in footsteps’

7. Crop Diseases Research Institute
1953 Conceived as research scheme “investigations
on rust of wheat and barley in Pakistan”
Department of Plant Protection, Food and
Agricultural Council of Pakistan
1955 Scheme Initiated
1958 Cereal Research Station
1977 Cereal Research Institute
1978 Taken over by Pakistan Agricultural Research
Council (PARC)
1983 Crop Diseases Research Institute
2002 Crop Diseases Research Programme (part of
IPEP through restructuring).
2012 Re-designated as Crop Diseases Research
Institute

8. March 22, 1960
Today has been a very
interesting day. The new
Murree Cereal Diseases
Research Station is something
Pakistan can be extremely
proud of. From it will come
many valuable results, which
will help to solve the cereal
problems of Pakistan. I
congratulate all of you.
Norman E. Borlaug

9. March 19, 2000
Forty years later I am pleased to see that the Murree Rust
(Disease) Research Station continues to contribute to
improving Pakistan Agriculture. You all played a vital
role in bring the so-called Green Revolution to the world
in the 1960’s and 1970’s. Currently you - the current staff
of the Murree Diseases Research Station are expanding
the important work which is essential to keep food
production moving forward. Keep up the good work and
the excellent spirit of research, which is essential. Best
Wishes.
Norman E. Borlaug

10. 0
20
40
60
80
100
120
1950 1953 1957 1973 19761978 1982 1995 1999200420052006200820092010201120122013
Stem Rust
Yellow Rust
Leaf Rust
Temporal Situation of Wheat Rusts

11. FSCRDFSCRD
INTERNATIONAL
CENTERS
INTERNATIONAL
CENTERS
Crop Diseases Research InstituteCrop Diseases Research Institute
NATIONAL
COORDINATED
PROGRAM
NATIONAL
COORDINATED
PROGRAM
FEDERAL &
PROVINCIAL
WHEAT
IMPROVEMENT
PROGRAMS
FEDERAL &
PROVINCIAL
WHEAT
IMPROVEMENT
PROGRAMS
Partners in Wheat
improvement

12. COORDINATED
WHEAT
PROGRAMME
INTERNATIONAL
CENTRES
- CIMMYT
- ICARDA
PROVINCIAL AND
FEDERAL BREEDERS
PRELIMINARY &
ADVANCE TESTING
CANDIDATE VARIETY
RELEASED/
RECOMMENDED FOR
DIFFERENT ECOLOGIES
RECOMMENDATIONS TO
VARIETY EVALUATION
COMMITTEE (VEC)
DATA ANALYSES
& COMPILATION
BEST LINES SELECTED
NWDSN (CDRI)
FSC & RD
QUALITY
NUYT
DISEASE
(CDRI)
ADAPTATION
FARMER
SEED
AGENCIES
- MATERIAL DEVELOPED
THROUGH HYBRIDIZATION
- TESTING OF INTERNATIONAL
MATERIAL
National Wheat Improvement Programme

13. • Pathogen Monitoring
I. Distribution and Prevalence
ii. Pathotype/ virulence analysis
• Resistance Development
I. Identification of sources
ii. Incorporation and deployment
iii. Genetic analysis

14. I. Wheat Rust Trap Nursery (WRTN)
ii. Green house virulence/ Pathotype
iii Surveillance
Pathogen Monitoring

15. http://rusttracker.cimmyt.org/?page_id=2395

16. Distribution of most prevalent Yr races in 2013-14

17. • Newly wheat varieties Pirsbak-2013, Lillema-13,
Shahkar-2013, Dharabi-13, Pakistan-13 Benazir-
2013 were found highly resistant to yellow rust
• Galaxy-13 the newly released wheat showed
ineffectiveness after release
• Some candidate lines were in the pipeline for
releasing as a wheat variety in Pakistan found
highly resistant to yellow rust in screening
nurseries as well as other sites
Current Status

18. Future Challenges
Local Scenario
Domestic Climatic Changes
Narrowing of Wheat Season (Sowing and Harvesting)
High Price of Cotton and Rice
Non Availability of Certified Seed
Continuous sowing of susceptible varieties
International
Information Sharing
Use of similar germplasm across borders

19. Thank You