Ethiopian researchers are using a new diagnostic test developed by John Innes Centre researchers to quickly identify wheat blast, a devastating fungal disease that has not yet been detected in Ethiopia.
The test can confirm whether infected plant material contains wheat blast within 90 minutes, providing researchers with a faster way to detect the disease and potentially deploy control measures before it spreads.
Wheat blast, caused by the fungal pathogen Magnaporthe oryzae pathotype Triticum, spreads over long distances on the wind and thrives in warm, humid conditions. Infection can cause wheat grains to become shriveled or fail to develop within a week, with severe outbreaks capable of causing losses of up to 100%.
Ethiopia is particularly vulnerable to the potential introduction of wheat blast because it is the largest wheat producer in sub-Saharan Africa, with wheat serving as an important food source and livelihood for millions of people. Although the disease has not been detected in Ethiopia, it has spread from South America into southern Africa, creating a need for continued surveillance.
One challenge is that wheat blast symptoms can resemble Fusarium head blight, a disease commonly found in Ethiopia. Because the two diseases can be difficult to distinguish visually, an introduction of wheat blast could potentially go undetected, allowing the pathogen additional time to spread.
Previously, researchers relied on laboratory techniques that could take several days and require specialized equipment. Those requirements limited the number of samples that could be tested and delayed confirmation.
Researchers in the Saunders lab at the John Innes Centre developed the new diagnostic tests to identify either Fusarium head blight or wheat blast within 90 minutes using more accessible equipment. The first trial took place in June 2026 at the Ambo research center, an Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research facility specializing in wheat disease research.
The test uses Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification, or LAMP, a rapid nucleic acid amplification technique. Unlike polymerase chain reaction, LAMP operates at a constant temperature and requires less specialized equipment, making it more suitable for use by field research teams.
The John Innes Centre research group also manages MARPLE Diagnostics, a mobile system used to identify wheat rust strains.
The collaboration between researchers in the United Kingdom and Ethiopia is intended to strengthen Ethiopia's capacity to detect and monitor emerging wheat diseases. Faster confirmation could help researchers respond more quickly if wheat blast enters the country.
The researchers plan to further simplify the diagnostic assays so they can eventually be used directly in the field. The goal is to make the technology accessible to laboratories and research teams regardless of their access to specialized equipment and resources.
Source: John Innes Centre, "A new rapid test helping Ethiopian researchers stay ahead of a wheat disease threat "