Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Jun 4: In a shocking development with global biosecurity implications, two Chinese nationals have been charged in the United States for allegedly smuggling a dangerous agricultural pathogen that experts say could be used as a biological weapon.

As per US authorities, Zunyong Liu (34) and Yunqing Jian (33) illicitly transported Fusarium graminearum, a toxin-producing fungus known for causing Fusarium head blight in cereal crops, into a University of Michigan lab. The fungus has been classified in scientific circles as a potential agroterrorism agent, capable of wreaking havoc on agricultural economies.

Fusarium graminearum is a destructive fungal pathogen that primarily affects wheat, barley, oats, and corn, leading to a condition called head blight or “scab”. The disease not only reduces crop yields but also contaminates grains with toxins like deoxynivalenol and zearalenone, which are harmful to humans and animals — causing issues ranging from nausea to liver and reproductive problems.

Due to its devastating impact on food supply chains, this pathogen is listed as a serious agro-threat with the potential to inflict billions in crop losses and damage global trade.

Agroterrorism is a form of bioterrorism that targets agriculture — either crops or livestock — through the deliberate introduction of harmful pathogens or pests. The aim is to destabilize economies, spark panic, and damage public trust in national food security systems.

The agriculture sector’s open and dispersed nature makes it highly vulnerable. Once introduced, such pathogens can spread quickly and silently, causing irreversible harm before being detected.

Experts point to a notorious 1984 case in Oregon, where a religious cult laced salad bars with salmonella in an attempt to sway local elections — sickening over 750 people. This incident underscored how fragile food systems can become targets.

In crops infected with Fusarium head blight:

• The flowering heads bleach prematurely

• Kernels turn shriveled, white, or even pink

• Grain quality plummets, often leading to rejection for food and feed, disrupting both domestic supply and international trade

With this case now under federal investigation in the US, biosecurity agencies worldwide are on high alert. Officials have stressed the serious nature of the smuggling, hinting at possible espionage or bio-threat motives behind the incident.

Further inquiries are expected as the duo faces prosecution under agricultural biosecurity laws, and international cooperation is likely to ensure such risks are effectively contained.