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This spring, Ģ����ý hosted wheat disease experts from across the continent in Brookings for the fifth annual Bacterial Leaf Streak Initiative Conference. More than 60 attendees from academia, industry, government and key stakeholder groups came together to discuss the increasing urgency and global relevance of addressing the costly disease in cereal production systems.

Reductions in yields caused by bacterial leaf streak have been increasing in most major wheat and barley growing areas, including South Dakota, with losses averaging around 30% and reaching up to 60%. By bringing experts and stakeholders into one room, the conference hoped to share research progress and management insights.

“The conference emphasized the need for integrated strategies and research on bacterial leaf streak to control this disease,” said Gazala Ameen, assistant professor of plant-pathogen interactions at SDSU and conference organizer. “It also highlighted the latest developments in genomics, breeding, pathogen biology and sustainable disease management.”

Attendees of the conference heard about a variety of management strategies to help combat the pathogen responsible for bacterial leaf streak, Xanthomonas translucens. Experts from around the world shared their research and experiences, with talks ranging from the genetic architecture of the disease to UAV-scouting approaches. Ameen noted that a main takeaway from the event was the identification of critical infection windows, particularly seed transmission and flag-leaf emergence, which proved to be key drivers of disease severity, giving researchers an actionable insight into management strategies.

Graduate and undergraduate students were also invited to present their work, to reinforce the importance of training the next generation of plant scientists. Awards for outstanding student presentations were given, with SDSU being well represented among the recipients. Graduate students Annaliese Hausman, Subash Thapa, Muhammad Ahmad, Nikhil and Tapish Pawar were honored along with undergraduate students, Jackson Strong and Claire Galvin.

With a strong network of dedicated scientists and stakeholders and a pipeline of student researchers ready to tackle new challenges, the future of bacterial leaf streak management looks bright.

“Looking ahead, the message from the conference was clear: tackling bacterial leaf streak will require sustained, interdisciplinary collaboration that bridges genomics, phenomics, ecology and applied management,” said Ameen. “As the disease continues to evolve, coordinated efforts across borders and sectors will be essential to develop resilient cereal production systems and safeguard global food security.”

Formed in 2020, the Bacterial Leaf Streak Ģ����ý Initiative has rapidly grown into a collaborative international network dedicated to advancing research, standardizing methodologies and accelerating solutions. Since its inception, the initiative has grown into a dynamic international network that supports annual conferences and joint research efforts.

This year’s Bacterial Leaf Streak Ģ����ý Initiative Conference was sponsored by the SDSU Department of Agronomy, Horticulture and Plant Science, the South Dakota Wheat Commission and Pioneer Seeds.