Unity Against Uncertainty: Experts Come Together to Combat Rice False Smut

LOS BANOS, Philippines, October 14-17, 2024 —Plant pathology experts from Asia, Africa, Europe, and America convened at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) headquarters to address the threat of Rice False Smut (RFS) disease. Participants from 30 international organizations expressed their commitment to this cause by joining the newly formed International Rice False Smut Consortium (IRFSC).

The event, supported by the John Templeton Foundation, included presentations, workshops, meetings, and field visits. It responds to the increasing threat of false smut disease caused by the fungal pathogen Ustilaginoidea virens. This disease is exacerbated by changing climate patterns and increased seed movement, posing a significant risk to high-yield rice varieties. The molecular and genetic characteristics of the pathogen, along with its epidemiology and host resistance, remain poorly understood, highlighting an urgent need for agricultural research in this area. The workshop also served as the launch platform for the IRFSC, which aims to create a dynamic knowledge exchange platform for sharing cutting-edge research, insights, and experiences related to false smut disease and its management. The consortium will establish an international working group of multidisciplinary experts to collaboratively explore solutions, share resources, and drive collective research efforts.

Additionally, it will formulate a comprehensive research roadmap to guide future investigations into the biology, molecular, genetic, and ecological aspects of false smut disease. During the four-day workshop, onsite and online participants participated in sessions focused on developing actionable strategies with three to ten years of milestones. The first three years will emphasize establishing foundational tools and frameworks, including developing and validating RFS resistance screening protocols, identifying elite RFS resistance donors, initiating QTL mapping, and piloting a disease forecasting model. As the consortium progresses toward year five, it will aim to enhance collaborative research and implement tangible…