Update on the situation of Tilletia indica in USA: new findings in Texas
In USA, Karnal bunt caused by Tilletia indica (EPPO A1 quarantine pest) was first found in Arizona in March 1996 (see EPPO RS 96/062). Within the same year, the fungus was found in limited wheat-growing areas of California, New Mexico and Texas, as infected seeds from Arizona had been planted in these States. In 1997, T. indica was also found in San Saba county in Texas (EPPO RS 98/043). All infected areas and their surroundings were regulated. In these regulated areas, T. indica was not detected or only at very low levels in the following years. During national surveys, the disease was not detected in other wheat-growing areas of USA. Recently, T. indica was found in wheat fields in Texas, California and Arizona in areas which were already regulated. But in May and June 2001, the fungus was also detected in new areas in Texas. It was found in the counties of Throckmorton, Young, Archer and Baylor, which are approximately 200 km away from the areas already regulated. The situation of T. indica in USA can be described as follows: Present: found only in a few limited locations in Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas.
Sources
USDA-APHIS Emergency programs – Karnal Bunt
Industry Alert :http://www.aphis.usda.gov/oa/kbunt/iakb.pdf
Map of restricted areas :
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppq/emergencyprograms/karnalbunt/kb2001.pdf
ProMED posting of 28th June 2001 – Karnal Bunt, Wheat – USA (Texas)
http://www.promedmail.org