NAME OF THE ORGANISM: Ustilago hordei (USTIHO)
GENERAL INFORMATION ON THE PEST
Name as submitted in the project specification (if different to the preferred name):
Pest category:
Fungi
1- Identity of the pest/Level of taxonomic listing:
Is the organism clearly a single taxonomic entity and can it be adequately distinguished from other entities of the same rank?
Yes
Is the pest defined at the species level or lower?:
Yes
Can listing of the pest at a taxonomic level higher than species be supported by scientific reasons or can species be identified within the taxonomic rank which are the (main) pests of concern?
- Not relevant: Cereals (including rice) sector
Is it justified that the pest is listed at a taxonomic rank below species level?
Not relevant
Conclusion:
- Candidate: Cereals (including rice) sector
2 – Status in the EU:
Is this pest already a quarantine pest for the whole EU?
No
Presence in the EU:
Yes
Conclusion:
candidate
Justification (if necessary):
This pest is present worldwide, including Europe (CABI, 1969).
HOST PLANT N°1: Avena sativa (AVESA) for the Cereals (including rice) sector.
Origin of the listing:
Agricultural SEWG
Plants for planting:
Seeds
3 - Is the pest already listed in a PM4 standard on the concerned host plant?
No
Conclusion:
Evaluation continues
4 - Are the listed plants for planting the main* pathway for the "pest/host/intended use" combination? (*: significant compared to others):
Yes
Conclusion:
Candidate
Justification:
Avena sativa is considered a main host in the CABI datasheet (CABI, 2012). The SEWG recommended to also regulate U. hordei on this host.
5 - Economic impact:
Are there documented reports of any economic impact on the host?
Yes
Justification:
The SEWG recommended to also regulate U. hordei on this host, based on practical experience.
What is the likely economic impact of the pest irrespective of its infestation source in the absence of phytosanitary measures? (= official measures)
Minor
Is the economic impact due to the presence of the pest on the named host plant for planting, acceptable to the propagation and end user sectors concerned?
No
Conclusion:
Candidate
Justification:
The SEWG recommended to also regulate U. hordei on this host. Losses may be unacceptable in some areas and under some conditions.
6 - Are there feasible and effective measures available to prevent the presence of the pest on the plants for planting at an incidence above a certain threshold (including zero) to avoid an unacceptable economic impact as regards the relevant host plants?
Yes
Conclusion:
candidate
Justification:
Control through standards for field inspection and seed, and through seed treatment fungicides. These fungicides are not allowable for organic farming.
7- Is the quality of the data sufficient to recommend the pest to be listed as a RNQP?
Yes
Conclusion:
Candidate
Justification:
CONCLUSION ON THE STATUS:
Recommended for listing as an RNQP, based on expertise available in the SEWG.
8 - Tolerance level:
Is there a need to change the Tolerance level:
Yes
Proposed Tolerance levels:
Zero tolerance for Pre-basic and Basic material, a tolerance for certified material (1 affected plant per 100m2), based on visual examination, with alternative risk management measures.
9 - Risk management measures:
Is there a need to change the Risk management measure:
Yes
Proposed Risk management measure:
Pre-basic and Basic material:
(a) Field inspection of a representative sample of the plants in the crop at an appropriate time at which no affected plants are seen;
or, if this tolerance is not achieved at field inspection,
(b) Seed treatment with an approved fungicide or by an approved physical technique known to be effective against Ustilago hordei.
Certified material:
(a) Field inspection of a representative sample of the plants in the crop at an appropriate time at which not more than 1 affected plant per 100m2 is seen;
or, if this tolerance is not achieved at field inspection,
(b) Seed treatment with an approved fungicide or by an approved physical technique known to be effective against Ustilago hordei.
Inspection of pre and post control plots may be used as an additional risk management measure to avoid any build-up of infection levels during the chain of propagation.
(a) Field inspection of a representative sample of the plants in the crop at an appropriate time at which no affected plants are seen;
or, if this tolerance is not achieved at field inspection,
(b) Seed treatment with an approved fungicide or by an approved physical technique known to be effective against Ustilago hordei.
Certified material:
(a) Field inspection of a representative sample of the plants in the crop at an appropriate time at which not more than 1 affected plant per 100m2 is seen;
or, if this tolerance is not achieved at field inspection,
(b) Seed treatment with an approved fungicide or by an approved physical technique known to be effective against Ustilago hordei.
Inspection of pre and post control plots may be used as an additional risk management measure to avoid any build-up of infection levels during the chain of propagation.
REFERENCES:
- CABI (2012) Datasheet report for Ustilago hordei (covered smut of barley), Crop Protection Compendium;