American Phytopathological Society
April 2004
Interpretive summary

Survival of Tilletia indica Teliospores in Different Soils
M. R. Bonde, D. K. Berner, S. E. Nester, and G. L. Peterson, USDA-ARS, Foreign Disease-Weed Science Research Unit, Fort Detrick, MD 21702-5023; M. W. Olsen, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Arizona, P.O. Box 210036, Tucson 85721-0036; B. M. Cunfer, University of Georgia, Griffin 30223-1797; and T. Sim, Kansas Department of Agriculture, Topeka 66619-0282. Plant Dis. D-2004-0202-02R, 2004 (online). Accepted for publication 24 November 2003.

Karnal bunt of wheat, caused by a fungal pathogen discovered for the first time in the United States in 1996, is considered by many people to be a minor disease, generally causing, at most, only small reductions in grain quality and yield. Because many wheat-importing countries do not accept grain with even a trace of the disease, Karnal bunt is of concern to the United States. In order to gain information on the ability of the pathogen to spread and become established in new areas, a study was undertaken to compare its survival in different soils. Propagules of the pathogen in soil were enclosed in polyester-mesh bags and placed in soil within PVC pipes. The pipes were open at the ends to allow contact with the outside environment, but covered with a series of screens to prevent any possibility of pathogen escape. The pipes were buried in field plots in four states. At each location, temperature was monitored in the pipes. Identical sets of bags of infested soil were kept in the laboratory. Over 3 years, the pathogen was tested to determine numbers of propagules still alive. Comparison of results for the various soils showed that the fungus did not survive well in some soils. The determination of the reason may make it possible to eliminate Karnal bunt from infested wheat fields.

Plant Disease is a leading international journal of applied plant pathology, published by The American Phytopathological Society. It publishes original research articles focusing on practical aspects of plant disease diagnosis and control. Each issue also includes a monthly feature article summarizing a significant topic in plant pathology. The Disease Notes section contains timely reports of new diseases, outbreaks, and other pertinent observations. For a full list of contents, visit http://www.apsnet.org/pd/current/.

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