Update on Karnal bunt research in Mexico

Abstract

Mexican officials from the Centro de Investigaciones Agricolas del Noroeste (CIANO) and Sanidad Vegetal, U.S. Quarantine officials and CIMMYT staff met in Ciudad Obregon on May 8-9,1991, to review the status of the disease of wheat known as Kamal bunt caused by Tillelia indica. The idea for the meeting was proposed by Dr. Arnold Tschanz of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) in the United States. This conference was a vehicle to familiarize U.S. quarantine officials with the current situation on Kamal bunt in Mexico, ongoing research on the disease, and plans for the future. This was the first step in preparing for a more formal and organized gathering sometime in the future. Selected papers presented during the conference and included in this Special Report provide some new information on Kamal bunt currently not found elsewhere. CIMMYT's over all goal in seed health is to develop procedures acceptable to all government agencies concerned with plant quarantine and to assure the international distribution of quality and disease-free seed. This Wheat Special Report on Kamal bunt research emphasizes the importance of shared knowledge. Please keep in mind the information in this report is disseminated with the understanding that it is not published in the sense of a refereed journal.