Pakistan, Oct. 17 -- Pakistani and Chinese scientists have identified 47 important genes in wheat that could help develop new varieties resistant to a major fungal disease and better able to withstand climate challenges.

The joint research has been published in the international journal Rice (SpringerOpen) in October 2025, Gwadar Pro reported on Thursday.

The study was led by Babar Hussain of University of Central Punjab (Pakistan) and Qasim Raza of University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (China), with Dr. Rana Muhammad Atif of University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) serving as the corresponding author. It also involved experts from Australia and the United States.

The research focuses on a group of genes known as MLO (Mildew Locu...