Rapid response to Yr15 resistance breakdown

Status: Active

In 2025, new strains of wheat yellow rust overcame Yr15, a resistance gene protecting many widely grown UK wheat varieties. With varieties reliant on Yr15 covering more than half of UK wheat acreage, there is an urgent need for new sources of resistance and closer monitoring of the pathogen.

This UKRI- and Defra-funded Rapid Response project, led by the John Innes Centre in collaboration with Niab and Rothamsted Research, aims to identify new resistance genes that can be rapidly deployed through wheat breeding. The research explores the genetic diversity of the Watkins collection of heritage wheat landraces, while Niab investigates additional sources of resistance in wheat wild relatives.

Niab will also monitor UK yellow rust populations for early signs of reduced sensitivity to fungicides. This is particularly important as growers may become increasingly reliant on fungicides following the breakdown of Yr15 resistance. Together, these activities will help diversify resistance genes available to breeders and support more effective, sustainable management of wheat yellow rust.