Breakthrough in Protecting Global Crops from Disease: A New Form of Resistance to Fungal Disease has Been Discovered

"Oilseed rape is one of the world’s most important brassica crops, readily visible by its bright yellow flowers. Grown for the production of vegetable oil, and for use in biodiesel and animal feed, oilseed rape makes a significant contribution to the agricultural economies of Europe, Australia, Canada, China and India.

Whilst there is a major drive to increase global food yields by controlling diseases some fungicides will be banned under new European Union legislation. Those that will still be available are likely to be too expensive to use in developing countries.

Dr. Dyer said: “Our discovery could change the way we look at protecting arable crops from disease. It offers new possibilities for breeders and a way of reducing the use of expensive and potentially damaging fungicides.”"

[link to www.physorg.com]