A technical exchange meeting focusing on rapid field detection methods for Southern Corn Rust was recently convened in Beijing by the Institute of Plant Protection of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences.

Southern Corn Rust is currently the only corn disease in China classified under the national list of Class I crop pests and diseases. It is characterized by concealed infection, rapid spread, and a short window for effective control, making timely identification of infection risks before visible symptoms appear crucial for early warning and scientific management.

Traditional early detection methods rely on laboratory equipment and are difficult to adapt for rapid, on-site testing at the grassroots level. Supported by the National Key R&D Program, the Institute of Plant Protection, in collaboration with the National Agro-Tech Extension and Service Center and other institutions, has developed a field-ready early rapid detection kit for Southern Corn Rust.

This technology requires no specialized equipment and can complete a rapid test in the field within 30 minutes. Field trials in 2025 demonstrated that the technology can identify infection risks up to seven days before typical symptoms appear, supporting the principle of "early detection, early control." Compared to traditional methods of applying pesticides only after disease appearance, field efficacy using the same chemicals can be improved by 11.4%, aiding in the goal of controlling the disease early and while it is still limited in scale.

A representative from the Institute of Plant Protection stated that the institute will continue to strengthen research and collaborative innovation in monitoring and early warning technologies for major corn diseases. It will accelerate the transformation and application of scientific and technological achievements, such as rapid field detection methods, to provide technological support for increasing the per-unit yield of grain crops.

This technical exchange meeting has further promoted the application and dissemination of rapid detection technology for Southern Corn Rust within the grassroots plant protection system. It has enhanced the capabilities of field technicians in rapid testing and risk warning, providing robust technical support for the scientific monitoring, precise early warning, and timely control of Southern Corn Rust in China.