Suspect seed samples were detected at a seed dealership during routine testing by the Arizona Department of Agriculture. After forwarding samples to the State's agricultural lab, USDA's Agricultural Research Service was given samples for final confirmation. The disease was confirmed as Karnal bunt on March 8, 1996. Karnal bunt, or partial bunt, is a fungal disease of wheat, durum wheat, and triticale, a hybrid of wheat and rye.
Infected plants produce less grain, and the quality of the grain itself is lessened.
Typically, only a portion of the kernel is affected, which is why the disease is sometimes called partial bunt. It has been reported in India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, Brazil and Mexico. This is the first report from the United States. Following the detection of Karnal bunt in Arizona, a scientific panel comprised of State, Federal and industry technical experts was convened to determine further actions. Investigators are tracing the source and distribution of all confirmed Karnal bunt positive seed while officers of USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and State regulators impose the appropriate regulatory actions to prevent the further spread of the disease.