Karnal bunt (Tilletia (Neovossia) indica) was first detected in the United States on March 8, 1996. A federal and Nebraska quarantine have been established. The fungus was first found in India. The disease may not be a serious threat to wheat production, but is important to our export market. Many foreign countries have a quarantine on Karnal bunt and will not allow shipments from infested countries. In the spring of 1996, over 100 wheat research samples grown in Arizona were sampled and tested by the NDA. University of Nebraska seed labs and other seed labs were tested for Karnal bunt. Wheat research nurseries were inspected during the growing season. During the 1996 wheat harvest, 620 wheat samples were collected for a Karnal bunt/dwarf bunt survey; 370 samples came from grain elevators, 150 samples were seed, 100 samples were research seed grown out of state, and five samples were from laboratories. A total of 71 counties were sampled. A Karnal bunt laboratory was set up at our Nebraska State Seed Lab in Lincoln where samples were processed and identified. Results were all negative.

A total of 417 wheat samples were collected in 1997 (366 samples came from grain elevators and 51 samples were seed). A total of 65 counties were sampled. Samples were processed and identified at the Karnal bunt laboratory set up at our Nebraska State Seed Lab in Lincoln and results were all negative. Negative surveys have facilitated the export of wheat from Nebraska.

A total of 81 wheat samples were collected in 1998 from 36 counties. Samples were processed and identified by the Karnal Bunt Laboratory at the Kansas Department of Agriculture and results were all negative.

A total of 40 wheat samples were collected in 1999 from 29 counties. Samples were processed and identified by the Karnal Bunt Laboratory at the Kansas Department of Agriculture and results were all negative.

The USDA/APHIS/PPQ Karnal Bunt webpage has detailed information concerning karnal bunt.

A dwarf bunt survey was funded by the Nebraska Wheat Board in 1996 and 1997. Dwarf bunt or TCK, (Tilletia controversa) is a fungal disease found in the Northwestern United States. United States wheat was rejected by China because of dwarf bunt. This survey for dwarf bunt utilized the 620 samples collected from the Karnal bunt survey. Samples were tested for dwarf bunt by the Nebraska State Seed Lab in Lincoln. All samples were negative for this disease.

The National Agricultural Pest Information System (NAPIS), Cooperative Agriculture Pest Survey (CAPS) home page has more information on karnal bunt on a national scale.