EPPO Global Database

Current pest situation evaluated by EPPO on the basis of information dated 2021: Present, few occurrences
First recorded in: 1950
Pest status declared by NPPO: Present: not widely distributed and under official control (2021-07)
From CABI Disease map 012 (1984): Present, restricted distribution

From NPPO (1992): under eradication in South Australia. Recorded at only one site in New South Wales in 1966, considered eradicated there.

From NPPO (2019-06): first detected in 1950 in Adelaide (South Australia) with a second detection in 1964. In 1966, an additional detection was reported from New South Wales. From 1979 on, South Australia reported a further 18 onion smut detections, with the last occurring in 2002 at Purnong Landing. In all cases, eradication measures were taken. As no detections have been made since 2002, the disease was officially declared eradicated in June 2019.

From NPPO (2019-10): found again at the end of September 2019 on onions in 1 property near Murray Bridge (South Australia). Under eradication.

From NPPO (2021-07): found again at the end of September 2020 on onions on a second property. The decision was made that onion smut is not eradicable from Australia.
Onion smut is only known to be present on two properties in South Australia and as of 16 December 2020, onion smut is no longer under official control in South Australia. Onion smut is under regional official control in Western Australia, New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania.