Wheat Genes TaHSP18.6 and TaSRT1 Linked to Fusarium Resistance via Auxin Regulation

Quick Summary

• The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) published research in its July 2025 issue detailing findings on Fusarium crown rot (FCR), a serious soil-borne disease affecting wheat production globally.
• Researchers identified the role of the gene TaHSP18.6 in regulating wheat resistance to FCR through multiomics analysis and genetic transformation.

Indian Opinion Analysis
This scientific advancement is significant for India, were wheat accounts for a major portion of agricultural production and food security. Diseases like FCR pose threats to yield stability and farmer livelihoods, especially in regions with intense wheat cultivation such as Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. The identification of specific genes tied to resistance opens avenues for targeted crop improvement strategies within india’s agricultural ecosystem, potentially reducing dependency on chemical treatments that could be expensive or environmentally damaging. Such developments can bolster resilience against climate-change-related pressures likely increasing disease proliferation in coming years.

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