SAINT PETERSBURG — Scientists have identified four new strains of a wheat-killing fungus that could endanger the global food supply, according to research presented Wednesday ahead of a conference in Russia.

The mutant strains of the fungus, called Ug99, originated in Africa but are likely to spread into Asia and beyond, said the Borlaug Global Rust Initiative (BGRI), a US-based advocacy group focusing on wheat contagions.

“The new mutations — identified last year in South Africa — will make wheat crops more vulnerable as pathogens now will find new wind trajectories for migration,” BGRI said in a statement announcing the new research.

via AFP: Mutant fungus threatens global wheat supply: scientists.

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