Seed and systemic fungicide treatments such as hexachlorobenzene, PCNB, and carboxin have controlled common smut effectively since their introduction. Seed lots can also be examined for teliospores in concentrated spore washes as an exclusionary or regulatory control. The disease occurs in Pacific Northwest and at higher elevations. It is primarily associated with winter wheat and fall infection. This disease has gained prominence in recent years because of its quarantine status and possible effect it might have on U.S. wheat exports.
Many countries have a zero tolerance level for karnal bunt in imported wheat.
If Karnal bunt were to become established in the United States, this would put U.S. exports to these countries in jeopardy. Prior to 1996 the disease was not known to occur in the United States. It had been confined to the Indian sub-continent, including Pakistan, Iraq, Afghanistan, but had also became established more recently in northwestern Mexico. In 1996 the fungus was identified for the first time in the United States. It was found in Arizona in certified Durum wheat seed.