UK Research Advances Biotech Solutions to Combat Cereal Crop Threats

Just now September 24, 2026 1 min read 📰 Phys.org

📋 Key Takeaway

A UK-led research collaboration has made progress in protecting cereal crops from blast fungus, which threatens food security. Researchers at the John Innes Centre are exploring plant defense receptors for bioengineering durable immunity in crops like wheat, barley, and rice. This innovation could be crucial for Iran, where agriculture is a vital sector.

A UK-led research collaboration has taken a significant step in the global effort to protect cereal crops from the devastating blast fungus. Researchers at the John Innes Centre explored a recently discovered class of plant defense receptors, showing at the molecular level how they limit blast pathogen attacks and how they might be bioengineered to provide broader, more durable immunity in wheat, barley and rice.