Wheat was introduced in Brazil with the arrival of European settlers. For a long time, it was cultivated on a smaller scale until, in the 1960s-1970s, changes in the eco¬nomic-technological situation resulted in a significant increase in the cultivated area. During this period, there was also an increase in the importance of several phytosan¬itary problems. The 1960s-1970s mark the first scientific records describing viruses as pathogens of this culture in the country. The history of knowledge about viruses in wheat in Brazil has as important elements: (i) changes in the production systems and in the agricultural landscape; (ii) new technologies and tools for the study of viruses; and (iii) introductions of viruses and their vectors in the national territory.