USDA-APHIS revokes rust quarantine for Florida gladiolus farm

USDA-Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has revoked a Federal Order that established a gladiolus rust (Uromyces transversalis) quarantine area for an affected commercial gladiolus farm in Clewiston, Fla. The regulatory action was necessary to mitigate the risk of interstate movement of the disease, which was confirmed on gladiolus plants in the production fields and packinghouse in early 2008. After following the conditions of the Federal Order and the associated federal compliance agreement for 2 production seasons, the commercial farm has remained free of rust. As a result, APHIS is declaring the pathogen eradicated from the regulated area.
Gladiolus rust is considered to be a quarantine pest for Europe and the U.S. The fungus primarily attacks hybrid cultivars of gladiolus grown for flower production and if established or transported into greenhouses or nurseries could significantly impact gladiolus crops in the U.S.

Pictured: USDA-Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has revoked a Federal Order that established a gladiolus rust quarantine area for an affected commercial gladiolus farm in Clewiston, Fla.
Photo courtesy of Fla. Dept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services Division of Plant Industry