Quarantine Border Management of Tilletia Associated with Wheat Grain: Indonesia Perspective

Abstract

The fungus Tilletia species is a pathogen in wheat (Triticum aestivum) that always contaminates wheat grain import. It has always been a major obstacle in wheat import trade to Indonesia, especially in managing wheat grain in the port of entry. The interception from 2014 to 2019 showed that three species Tilletia indica, T. tritici, and T. leavis belong to A1 Quarantine Pests were intercepted. However, border management by relevant agencies at the port of entry as well as proper management of flour industry by conducting reasonable standard procedures and processing plants, could minimize the risk of spreading Tilletia. Successful elimination of the fungus Tilletia through milling processing by temperatures above 56 oC might be killed Tilletia. Taking into consideration that Tilletia as A1 quarantine pests, however, it could be considered low risk to import wheat grain to Indonesia. The procedure for handling imported wheat grain from ships to silos must ensure that it is carried out properly and does not seep out of the port border area and burn all was filtered during flour processing.