Western Australia
March 27, 2015
A Western Australian plant pathologist has played a key role in the development of an international diagnostic protocol to aid in the identification of an exotic fungal wheat disease Karnal bunt (Tilletia indica Mitra).
Department of Agriculture and Food research officer Dominie Wright (pictured) was recently acknowledged as the lead author of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations publication ‘Annex to ISPM 27 Diagnostic protocols for regulated pests’.
The need for the protocol was highlighted by an international incident in 2004 when exported wheat from Australia was misidentified as being infested with Karnal bunt.
Some wheat exports were disrupted and the situation had potential to escalate to other crops and markets while Australian scientists determined that the fungus was not the Karnal bunt pathogen.
The document, now published on the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) under the World Trade Organisation, outlines the internationally endorsed protocol on what countries should do if they suspect Karnal bunt and how to identify it.
Ms Wright said the protocol aimed to provide guidelines to assist in correct identification and prevent similar situations from occurring.
“Karnal bunt is a fungal disease that infects the wheat grain,” Ms Wright said.
“Correct identification of the disease is important because it’s a quarantinable pathogen with significant trade implications.
“Karnal bunt is not present in Australia.”
Ms Wright said the IPPC started developing international protocols in 2007 by calling for expressions of interest from experts keen to be involved.
“I was previously involved in the development of an Australian diagnostic tool for the disease in collaboration with the Department of Primary Industries, New South Wales so Australia was well placed to lead the development of this international protocol,” she said.
“The IPPC Karnal bunt protocol was developed in the absence of established guidelines or templates to build from.
“I liaised closely with a counterpart based in the Netherlands and the protocol, was subsequently endorsed by all 134 members of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).”
It is now available in English, French, Spanish, Russian, Arabic and Mandarin languages to ensure all member countries can access it.
While an internationally accepted diagnostic protocol for Karnal Bunt was an important step forward in Australian and international preparedness for this biosecurity threat, Ms Wright said that the Australian wheat industry also needed to consider approaches to maintaining and demonstrating area freedom from the disease on an ongoing basis.
The IPPC Chairperson recently acknowledged Ms Wright for her outstanding contribution and commitment as lead author and presented her with a certificate of recognition for her dedicated efforts during the drafting and review process.
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