UK Cereal Pathogen Virulence Survey

The UK Cereal Pathogen Virulence Survey (UKCPVS) was set up in 1967 in response to an unexpected epidemic of yellow rust in the popular and previously resistant wheat variety Rothwell Perdix. This epidemic was as a result of the sudden emergence of a new race of yellow rust with virulence for this variety. The formation of the UKCPVS was in recognition of the urgent need to detect new pathogen races at an early stage, before widespread epidemics can establish. Early detection of changes in pathogen virulence remains the central aim of the UKCPVS. AHDB Cereals and Oilseeds, APHA, and in-kind contributions from plant breeding and agronomy companies are currently funding the work and are looking for a contractor to continue and develop current research over the next 3 years. The main purpose of this research is to monitor changes in the virulence of certain major cereal foliar pathogens and determine their significance for the resistances that are being used in current varieties and breeding programmes. This will provide essential information for cereal variety testing programmes funded by AHDB Cereals and Oilseeds, as well as for the industry as a whole.