Root rots and nematodes (minute insects that suck the sap out of plant roots) attack cereal crops under the ground, but they are not visible, and the symptoms they cause are difficult to identify. For farmers and even most plant pathologists, these pathogens are “out of sight, out of mind.”

Helping poor farmers avoid 20% yield losses is good reason to dig into the ground and find out about root pathogens. To date, little research has focused on these problems, compared to above-ground diseases and pests. A prime reason is that research on soilborne pathogens involves an enormous amount of grunt work, such as digging up roots (lots of them) and washing them to rid them of soil. Nonetheless, when researchers in the affected areas realize the extent to which soil pathogens affect yields, they immediately develop an interest in them.

The countries of Central and West Asia, and North Africa (CWANA), plus China and India, regularly suffer substantial yield losses caused by soilborne pathogens. “We’ve been aware for a long time of these problems and of the need to train national program scientists in this field,” says Hans-Joachim Braun, head of CIMMYT’s office in CWANA, located in Turkey. “The best way to control soil-borne pathogens is to establish research networks for transferring knowledge and exchanging breeding materials among affected countries in the region.” The first step towards that goal was taken when CIMMYT assigned Julie Nicol, an expert in soilborne pathogens, to CWANA.

Since arriving in CWANA, Nicol had explored the possibilities of holding a course on soil-borne pathogens for reseachers in the region. “I’m Australian, so I naturally looked to Australia first for help in funding, organizing, and giving the course,” says Nicol. “I was motivated by their interest in holding such a course and their willingness to fund it.” She especially cites the guidance and support of Bruce Holloway, director of the Crawford Fund’s Master Class Program, and Albert Rovira, coordinator of the Fund in South Australia.

Australia, where wheat is grown in the rainfed environments preferred by these pests, is one of a small number of countries where such research has been systematically conducted. As a result, the country has more than the usual share of experts in this field.

Laying the ground-
work to control soil pests

With the invaluable help of local CIMMYT staff, Nicol organized a twoweek “master class” and training manual. The course was held in June 2003, mainly at ANADOLU Experiment Station in Eskisehir, Turkey, which has excellent laboratory facilities, classrooms, and accommodations. The group also traveled to key locations within Turkey, such as Konya and Cumra. Twenty-three researchers from Afghanistan, Australia, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Morocco, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, and Uzbekistan attended the course.

Lectures in the classroom were combined with visits to farmers’ fields and research stations to observe root
rot and nematode damage in a wheat crop. Plants collected from those fields were used to extract soil-borne fungi and nematodes in the lab. The instructors also demonstrated how to culture soil-borne pathogens and use molecular markers to identify host plant resistance. All lab sessions were highly interactive and hands-on to give participants the opportunity to try the methodologies themselves. Almost every evening there was a session during which participants would make presentations on the agricultural conditions and problems in their countries, and what they are doing to try to solve them.

Zafer Uckun and Zafer Mert from Turkey commented, “During the course we realized that soil-borne diseases are one of the most important factors limiting our yields.” Another participant from Iran indicated that back in their own countries they would “need to convince the breeders of the importance of these problems and then work closely with them.”

The teaching staff was made up of Turkish, Australian, and French nationals from various universities, advanced research institutions, national research programs, CIMMYT, and ICARDA. Amor Yahyaoui (ICARDA) and Turkish scientists Mikail Caliskan, Ahmet Bagci, and Illker Kepenekci helped Nicol and Braun prepare and present specific course components. The instructors included Roger Rivoal, a leading nematologist from INRA/France; Lester Burgess of the University of Sydney; Hugh Wallwork, a pathologist from the South Australian Research Development Institute; Ian Riley, a nematologist from the University of Adelaide; and several Turkish researchers (Halil Elekcioglu, Berna Tunali, Mucella Tekeoglu, and Necmettin Bolat). Course participants appreciated the opportunity of interacting with these internationally known experts. As Hussam Abidou, a doctoral student from Syria, pointed out, “Though all the lectures were full of new information, one of the best advantages of the course was the beneficial discussions we had with the scientists.”

By the time the course was over, participants were determined to form a strong regional network. The network will improve the control of soil-borne pathogens through the exchange of information and the development of resistant varieties to benefit farmers who depend on wheat for their survival.

The course was funded by the South Australia Branch of the Australian Academy of Technical Sciences and Engineering Master Class Fund, Turkey’s General Directorate of Agricultural Research, Australia’s Grains Research Development Corporation, and the Kirkhouse Trust in the United Kingdom, in addition to
CIMMYT and ICARDA.

	For more information:
	j.nicol@cgiar.org

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February, 2004