Black Stem Rust Quarantine

Arthur E. Miller, USDA-APHIS-PPQ, AERO, Raleigh, NC. October 10, 2003

In addition to being an ornamental but invasive pest plant, barberry is an alternate host of black stem rust (BSR) which is a serious disease of small grains. A number of species and varieties of barberry are susceptible to BSR which reduces the quality and yield of wheat, oats, barley, and rye crops. Interstate movement of barberry plants and seed is regulated under Federal Quarantine 38 to protect northern wheat producing states.

For More Information: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppq/barberry/