New wheat disease detection tool established in Tanzania - Phys.org

John Innes Centre researchers have trained scientists from across Tanzania to use new loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assays to rapidly detect wheat blast, a looming fungal threat to wheat harvests.

Hosted at the Tanzanian Agricultural Research Institute (TARI), the training covered how to use LAMP assays as low-cost, rapid tests to detect the presence of a fungal disease known as wheat blast (caused by Magnaporthe oryzae pathotype Triticum). The disease has not been found in Tanzania yet, but has been confirmed in neighboring Zambia. Providing rapid detection tools such as LAMP helps to improve Tanzania's ability to identify and respond to the threat of wheat blast, should the disease reach the country.