Between USDA and U of M efforts, thousands of pathogen samples from across the US and hundreds more from across the world are collected and analyzed for changes in pathogen populations. The CDL is home to the largest collection of cereal rust pathogen isolates in the world (30,000+).

Between USDA and U of M efforts, thousands of pathogen samples from across the US and hundreds more from across the world are collected and analyzed for changes in pathogen populations. The CDL is home to the largest collection of cereal rust pathogen isolates in the world (30,000+).

“At the University of Minnesota, we rely on our USDA-ARS colleagues to complement and extend our research,” says U of M Professor Brian Steffenson. “The CDL has a strong program in characterizing the worldwide virulence of the rust pathogens, particularly stem rust and leaf rust. Knowing our enemy, that is the virulence of the rust pathogens, helps us to select the resistance genes that will be effective against the known races of the pathogen.”

“At the University of Minnesota, we rely on our USDA-ARS colleagues to complement and extend our research,” says U of M Professor Brian Steffenson. “The CDL has a strong program in characterizing the worldwide virulence of the rust pathogens, particularly stem rust and leaf rust. Knowing our enemy, that is the virulence of the rust pathogens, helps us to select the resistance genes that will be effective against the known races of the pathogen.”

The CDL was established in 1915 to study stem rust. The significance of the lab’s research was realized in 1935 when stem rust destroyed more than 135 million bushels of wheat followed by periodic outbreaks throughout the following decades. The lab’s collaborative work identified common barberry as the alternate host of the pathogen (where stem rust overwinters in the Great Plains of the US) and ultimately to the barberry eradication program. Barberry is still screened for rust resistance in the lab today.

The CDL was established in 1915 to study stem rust. The significance of the lab’s research was realized in 1935 when stem rust destroyed more than 135 million bushels of wheat followed by periodic outbreaks throughout the following decades. The lab’s collaborative work identified common barberry as the alternate host of the pathogen (where stem rust overwinters in the Great Plains of the US) and ultimately to the barberry eradication program. Barberry is still screened for rust resistance in the lab today.

The CDL provides critical data on the virulence dynamics of the rust pathogens across the country and world. University breeders rely on this information to select the best and most widely effective resistance genes for wheat and barley.

The CDL provides critical data on the virulence dynamics of the rust pathogens across the country and world. University breeders rely on this information to select the best and most widely effective resistance genes for wheat and barley.

“Together CDL and PlPa represent the only center for cereal rust research in the world with the extensive collection and expertise to ‘protect small grain cereal crops from the enemy that never sleeps’,” explains USDA Research Leader Shahryar Kianian (pictured here).

“Together CDL and PlPa represent the only center for cereal rust research in the world with the extensive collection and expertise to ‘protect small grain cereal crops from the enemy that never sleeps’,” explains USDA Research Leader Shahryar Kianian (pictured here).

In 1999, a widely virulent race called Ug99 was found in Uganda and threatened the world's wheat and barley crops because it had virulence for 80-90% of all cultivars worldwide. The CDL took the lead in addressing this problem and also helped to set up screening nurseries in Ethiopia and Kenya to test materials in the field.

In 1999, a widely virulent race called Ug99 was found in Uganda and threatened the world's wheat and barley crops because it had virulence for 80-90% of all cultivars worldwide. The CDL took the lead in addressing this problem and also helped to set up screening nurseries in Ethiopia and Kenya to test materials in the field.

The CDL screens thousands of breeding germplasm to assist in development of resistant varieties and thousands of wild cereal germplasm for resistance to identify new sources of resistance for incorporation into various breeding programs.

The CDL screens thousands of breeding germplasm to assist in development of resistant varieties and thousands of wild cereal germplasm for resistance to identify new sources of resistance for incorporation into various breeding programs.