Pretoria, December 19, 2000
Experts from the Agricultural Research Council, organised agriculture and the National Department of Agriculture will work together to assess the outbreak of Karnal Bunt, a wheat disease that has been recently identified at a farm in the Northern Cape. This is the first time that the disease has been identified in South Africa.
The National Department of Agriculture and the Agricultural Research Council in association with organised agriculture will work together to contain further outbreaks by means of drafting and enforcing quarantine measures regarding the contaminated farm. They will conduct a delimiting survey to establish the extent of the infected area and of infected seed stocks, establish future control measures and provide information regarding Karnal Bunt. Currently information is available at the ARC-Small Grain Centre (tel.058 307-3400).
The Department is requesting all stakeholders and role players to participate in the responsible and co-ordinated action to prevent the spread of this disease. Under no circumstances should any suspect seed or plant material be removed or distributed from its place of origin. Role players are requested to contact the institutions indicated below for advice as well as information on further actions.
Karnal Bunt is a seed and soil borne fungal disease that is caused by the fungus Tilletia indica. The disease causes only limited yield loss and has little effect on grain quality; it is also not toxic to humans and animals.
The pathogen survives in the soil for up to 5 years, infecting the plant in the flowering stage and causing deformation of the seed as well as an unpleasant fishy odour. Even though it causes only limited yield losses, Karnal Bunt reduces seed quality should more than 3% of the seed become contaminated. It attacks bread wheat, durum wheat (from which pasta is made) and Korog (a hybrid between wheat and rye).
Seed, soil, tractors, harvesters and other implements as well by water and wind spread Karnal Bunt over limited distances.
Contact Institutions:
Agricultural Research Council - Small Grain Institute: Dr Cobus
le Roux, Tel. (058) 307-3400/ 082 441 2307
University of the Free State, Department of Plant Pathology:
Prof Sakkie Pretorius, Tel. (051) 401-2466
National Department of Agriculture - Directorate Plant Health
and Quality: Mr Mike Holtzhausen, Tel. (012) 319-6100 / 082 809
5944
Issued by: National Department of Agriculture
Issued by Government Communications and Information System