Breeding for Durable Resistance to RhynchosporiUM (DRRUM)

Leaf scald, caused by the fungal pathogen Rhynchosporium commune is one of the most damaging diseases of UK barley. Current control strategies rely heavily on fungicides, but the most effective and sustainable way to protect crops is to develop new cultivars that incorporate and express effective built-in resistance. In order to do this, we need to, simultaneously introduce multiple, complementary resistance genes into a single line. This is extremely hard to do if traditional selection methods are used. This project will translate cutting edge advances in barley genetics to deliver innovative breeding methods along with DNA markers that are needed to achieve this objective. These resources and knowledge will be used by the commercial partner (KWS UK Ltd) to produce the next generation of highly resistant barley varieties that will protect yield and quality for growers and end users of barley grain.