DWARF BUNT - POLITICS, IDENTIFICATION, AND BIOLOGY

Dwarf bunt is a disease of wheat caused by the smut fungus Tilletia co ntroversa Kuhn. Winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is the primary hos t of economic significance. Although the total acreage affected by dwa rf bunt is small relative to total wheat production worldwide, the dis ease has assumed attention disproportionate to its economic impact bec ause it has become a matter of contention in world trade in cereals. T his review describes the political and economic issues underlying the study and identification of T. controversa.