- Yellow rust is a fungal disease which turns leaves yellowish and stops the photosynthesis.
- It is caused by the Magnaporthe oryzae fungus and was discovered in Brazil in 1985.
- The fungus attacks the leaf of the crop and eats its chlorophyll, thereby affecting the plant’s growth.
- It can cause up to 20% yield loss.
- In recent times, temperature rise caused by climate change has contributed to the spread of the fungus.
- Why in news? FAO has called for International collaboration on wheat rust to curb threat to global supplies.