Abstract only

East Africa has always acted as a significant region in relation to stem rust epidemiology and is considered to be hot-spot for evolution of new virulent races. In 1998, a new stem rust race (Ug99) originated from Uganda has posed a potential global threat on wheat production as this race is very aggressive in terms of its broad virulence spectrum and adaptability. The east-Africa (Kenya and Ethiopia) stem rust screening and breeding program under the Borlaug Global Rust Initiative (BGRI) was initiated to systematically reduce threat of Ug99 lineage on national wheat production and the world?s vulnerability to evolving stem rust races of this lineage. Since its launch in 2005, the stem rust screening programs of Kenya and Ethiopia have screened over 100, 000 advance breeding lines, identified diverse sources of resistance including adult plant resistance based on minor genes, and initiated comprehensive shuttle breeding and seed multiplication in collaboration with CIMMYT and ICARDA. This paper reviews on importance and achievements of stem rust research activities/strategies currently being used in Kenya and Ethiopia programs and there contribution to global stem rust control along with opportunities and future perspectives, and the challenges faced by this highly significant global program.

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