With reports that the recent rain has resulted in the highest Septoria risk in the last decade, alongside the fact that many spray programmes have also been compromised is a stark reminder of the value of growing robust disease resistant varieties.

For plant breeders Limagrain, developing varieties with robust disease resistance has always been a key focus of the company’s breeding programme. Paul Fenwick, in house pathologist with Limagrain says, “It’s all about providing a safer product for growers; one that has the genetics to cope with a range of conditions and seasons, and still perform season after season. By looking at all the factors that affect yield and quality, it is clear that developing varieties with resilient disease resistance characteristics is critical and integral to this.”

“The development of new molecular markers is key to us having a better understanding of the genetics behind resistance and, therefore, the commercialisation of varieties which are likely to be less at risk from race changes. “

“As breeders we aim to use a use a number of different sources of resistance within our breeding programmes as an insurance against major race changes,” he says. The ‘pyramiding’ of resistance factors within single varieties using marker assisted selection makes it more difficult for the pathogen to adapt and gain the required virulence factors for resistance breakdown. “

Mr Fenwick feels strongly that the efforts to produce varieties with new, diverse, potent and potentially durable resistance factors should be recognised and reflected by the appropriate bodies when varieties come up for recommendation.

He also adds that, as breeders, it is important to consider requirements for the future. “After all, it takes at least 8-10 years to bring a variety to market, so we need to be planning now for future goalposts. For example, in the near future, we are likely to face a reduction in the use of some pesticides – this in itself reflects the crucial need to develop varieties with robust disease resistance attributes that are high quality and high yielding. Food security is an increasingly important global issue, and breeding resistant varieties will be an integral part of achieving this.”