Winter wheat resistance to Tilletia caries races

Common bunt of winter wheat, caused by Tilletia caries, is a major fungal disease in organic farming. Multiple pathogen races exist, each with distinct virulence. In the absence of chemical seed treatments, race-specific resistance genes—such as those identified by Hoffmann and Metzger (1976) and Goates (2012)—are critical. Pyramiding multiple Bt resistance genes provides durable, broad-spectrum protection, supporting sustainable organic wheat production. This research targets breeders, researchers, and public authorities in the PRACTICE project (abstract 62).