Corn smut
scouted Aug. 14, 2024
- Scientific Name
- Ustilago maydis
- Background
- Corn was being scouted in Avery county and it was observed the 25% of the fields had affected ears with bulbous growth. The site was low and sunny.
- Conclusion
- The cause for this was found to be smut on corn. Smut on corn is caused by fungus. Fungus causes yellowing of green tissue and production of light green or whitish to grayish fleshy galls on ear, tassel, leaves and stalks. Pollinated ovaries are less susceptible to smut, so the infection starts from tip of ears as it is pollinated last. Galls has blackish teliospore prowder, spores lands locally or can spread to other area after it gets ruptured and spread the infection. Teliospores can survive upto 5-7 years. Destruction of crop debris, crop rotation, use of resistance variety and chemical can be used for its management.
- Resources
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- No resources have been added.
