Chinese and American scientists have made a breakthrough discovery that helps cure a wheat disease.

The "Take-all" disease is found around the world and is very difficult to cure because of the numerous microbes it infects in the soil.

The disease has stricken Northern China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, since its soil has higher alkalinity and lower ventilation.

Figures show Ningxia's wheat production has gone down by 150 million kilograms every year due to the disease.

After 12 years of Sino-US cooperation on prevention research of the "Take-all" disease, the treatment method has been used in over 200 hectares of farmland and helped generate more than 300 million yuan or US$37 million in profits for Ningxia farmers.

(Xinhua News Agency December 22, 2004)