Can Robigus defeat an old enemy? – Yellow rust of wheat

Abstract

The rust diseases have plagued cereal cultivation from the early days of domestication. Biblical accounts report on the plight of Hebrews resulting from severe rust epidemics, while the ancient Greeks and Romans made offerings to the corn god, Robigus in attempts to defeat these devastating diseases (McIntosh et al . 1995). Man's approaches to fighting plant disease have changed since the time of the Romans, but still the fight continues. While we may have won many battles, the war is not yet over.