Smut fungi, or Ustilaginomycetes, are parasites that infect plants with teliospores that enter plant tissue, and have the ability to overwinter and return from year to year. They are known as “true” smuts.
There are approximately 1,400 species that blight mainly cereal crops, such as barley, corn, rice, and wheat. Other crops, such as onions, and ornamentals like anemones, carnations, dahlias, and gladiolas, may also be affected.
Plants that contract smut may have stunted growth, discoloration, disfigurement, spotted leaves, and damaged fruit.
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They may develop unsightly balls of spores called galls, or sori. Inside are masses of teliospores. As the galls age, they release clouds of spores that waft through a growing space and land on foliage and soil.
In this article, we discuss black smut fungus, its effects on various plants, and ways to avoid infection in the home garden.
Here’s what’s in store:
Let’s learn about this challenging disease.
Host-Specific SpeciesThere isn’t just one type of black smut fungus. Rather, there are many host-specific species.
Some varieties inflict systemic damage, living in plant tissue and evolving as a plant grows.
Others are localized, damaging only the parts they come in direct contact with.
When an infection is systemic, entire plants are affected, and their seed and debris can further spread disease.
Localized damage, on the other hand, affects specific portions of plants. Some fruits may be unaffected, and seed and debris may not carry the disease.
The fungi cause dark streaks and blisters on plants that develop into galls
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