Rice and wheat are the two main sources of calories in the human diet, and both are important crops that are exported to the USA. Rice blast, which is caused by the Magnaporthe oryzae fungus, is a limiting factor for the global production of rice and constitutes a very serious emerging threat to wheat in the USA. Research on the disease in last the 20 years has provided a wealth of understanding on the molecular foundation for rice resistance to blast and on M. oryzae's pathogenetic mechanisms. The goal of this project is to take advantage of this knowledge as part of an integrated approach to improve rice production in the USA and protect wheat crops. The specific goals are: 1) increase resistance in American varieties of elite rice; 2) develop new strategies of resistance to rice blast; 3) establish procedures that enable the fast detection of the causal agent of wheat blast; 4) incorporate blast resistance to wheat; 5) develop a forecast system to assess rice and wheat blast risk; 6) assess economic aspects and consumer attitudes regarding the possible use of cisgenic rice; 7) develop resources and educational programs for those who are interested in the subject; and 8) develop training programs for undergraduate plant biosafety students. Such efforts will produce results with immediate impacts on rice and wheat blast control and generate new knowledge through trained personnel, who are essential for the present and future management of the disease. This project comprises the Priority Area Program: Development of new methods to manage cultivated plant diseases caused by fungi belonging to the following genera: Fusarium, Magnaporthe or Aspergillus.