In the March 22, 2016, Federal Register, USDA's
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service ("APHIS")
confirmed the effective date of the direct final rule published January 22, 2016, which
amended the black stem rust quarantine and regulations by adding
nine varieties to the list of rust-resistant Berberis
species and varieties. Black stem rust is one of the most
destructive plant diseases of small grains that is known to exist
in the United States. The disease is caused by a fungus
(Puccinia graminis) that reduces the quality and yield of
infected wheat, oat, barley, and rye crops. In addition to
infecting small grains, the fungus lives on a variety of alternate
host plants that are species of the genera Berberis,
Mahoberberis, and Mahonia. The fungus is spread
from host to host by windborne spores. The rule was
effective March 22, 2016.
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