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Look-alikes and the Risk of False Positives in Northern Wheat States

Tillettia indica Look-alikes and the Risk of Karnal Bunt False-Positives in Northern Wheat States

Robert W. Stack, Plant Pathologist

North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota.

"...this same smut (TB), or a species indistinguishable from it (T. pulcherrima) (TP) causes smut of several widespread native grasses. Because of this, there is a potential for KB false positives from smut on these grasses."

-From the paper.

THE FULL TEXT of Tillettia indica Look-alikes and the Risk of Karnal Bunt False-Positives in Northern Wheat States

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Randy Clear - 04:27pm Jul 12, 1996 EDT (#1 of 1)

The presence of a TI look-alike known as T. pulcherrima on some native grasses emphasizes the need to be absolutely sure of ones identification. This would ideally be done using genetic testing. However, as I understand it, this requires a viable spore. I wonder what one would do if they recovered a non-viable spore matching the description of TI? Do other labs have a protocol for such a situation? I'm especially thinking of labs dealing with grain from what are presently considered KB free areas.


 



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