Summary
This review synthesises literature on fungal disease tolerance in wheat as a complement to resistance-based strategies. The authors argue that whilst fungicide-dependent and single-gene resistance approaches carry risks of selection pressure on pathogens and fungicide resistance, certain wheat varieties can maintain high yields despite susceptibility to severe fungal diseases through tolerance mechanisms. The paper addresses how tolerance fits within integrated disease management and breeding programmes, with emphasis on enhancing sustainability and productivity.
UK applicability
Wheat disease tolerance is relevant to UK cereal production, where fungal diseases (notably Septoria and Fusarium) impose significant yield losses and fungicide dependency. The tolerance approach reviewed may offer pathways to reduce agrochemical inputs in UK farming systems, though applicability depends on whether tolerance traits are available in UK-adapted germplasm and whether they perform under UK climate conditions.
Key measures
Yield maintenance in susceptible-but-tolerant wheat varieties under fungal disease pressure; manifestations and quantification of tolerance phenotypes
Outcomes reported
The review examined literature on tolerance mechanisms in wheat varieties to fungal diseases, how tolerance can be quantified and manifested, and its implications for integrated disease management and breeding strategies. The paper explored ecological and evolutionary aspects of tolerance in pathogen–plant host systems.
Topic tags
Dig deeper with Pulse AI.
Pulse AI has read the whole catalogue. Ask about this record, its theme, or how the findings apply to UK farming and policy — every answer cites the underlying studies.