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A reappraisal of the current status of Tilletia indica as an important quarantine pest for Europe

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Abstract

Tilletia indica, the fungus responsible for Karnal bunt disease of wheat, is currently recognised as a quarantine pest by both the EU and EPPO. The evidence that has been used to justify this status is reviewed and found to be in need of reappraisal. Yield losses caused by the pathogen are insignificant and disease levels are rarely high enough to cause serious quality problems. The sole reason for its designation as an important quarantine pest would seem to lie in the serious implications for trade should the pathogen be detected in an exporting country. Since there is strong evidence to suggest that T. indica may not even establish in Europe, it would seem logical to reclassify the pathogen as the cause of a minor disease that is likely to have little quarantine significance for Europe. However, since most wheat-growing countries have strict quarantine regulations aimed at preventing the introduction of T. indica, this reclassification is unlikely to occur unless plant health authorities around the world can agree on a new status of reduced importance for T. indica that suits its actual potential as a pest.

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Acknowledgements

Satvinder Kaur, Head of the Department of Plant Pathology, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana and Robin Gogoi, Senior Scientist, Division of Plant Pathology, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi are thanked for providing information on the current status of Karnal bunt in northwest India.

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  1. Consultant in Plant Pathology and Pest Risk Analysis, 12 Charlotte Brontë Drive, Droitwich Spa, Worcestershire, WR9 7HU, UK

    David R. Jones

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Correspondence to David R. Jones.

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David Jones is a retired employee of the Central Science Laboratory (CSL). Statements and opinions expressed in this paper are those of the author and are not the views of the Central Science Laboratory.

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Jones, D.R. A reappraisal of the current status of Tilletia indica as an important quarantine pest for Europe. Eur J Plant Pathol 118, 105–113 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10658-007-9133-9

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