The threat posed by pathogens to global wheat crops is increasing as a result of the effects of climate change, researchers at the GEMS Informatics Centre (GEMS) of the University of Minnesota and non-profit organisation 2Blades Foundation (2Blades) have jointly warned in a new study (published in “Frontiers in Plant Sciences”). GEMS is an agri-food informatics initiative, established in 2015; one of its international partners is South Africa’s Stellenbosch University. 2Blades, set up in 2004, is focused on researching and combatting plant pathogens, to assist both commercial and subsistence farmers. Climate change is increasing both the stress on plants and the natural ranges of pathogens, posing increased threats to crops. Currently, the top five wheat diseases cost losses estimated to range between $4.2-billion to $10.8-billion every year. Major wheat diseases are caused by viruses or fungal infections. Wheat crops are also vulnerable to weeds, insects and other pests.