Common smut

feaured_photo_co
Grahame Jackson. Courtesy of www.ecoport.org
Is this a Minor Pest?
Yes
Minor Pest Title

Common maize smut (Ustilago maydis)

Minor Pest Description

Characteristic symptom of common smut is formation of galls or tumuors on above-ground parts of maize plant. Galls frequently are from one to several centimetres in diameter. The galls are at first covered by a shining, whitish-green membrane. As the gall enlarges, the membrane ruptures, exposing a powdery black mass of spores.

 

Minor Pest What to do.
  • Use resistant varieties if available.
  • Practise crop rotation.
  • Practise field sanitation. In smallholdings remove and destroy smut galls before smut spores are produced. This may help reduce prevalence of the disease in following years.
Minor Pest Position
8
Minor Pest Firstcontent
123
Pest Type
fungal
Host Plants
Maize (Revised)