Smut of Corn
About Pathogen and Signs/Symptoms:
The pathogen that causes corn smut is Ustilago maydis, which is a fungus. It is very easy to identify due to the large white galls that eventually progress into black, smutty portions that fall apart easily – these are teliospores. Due to this main sign, no further tests need to be completed.
Disease Cycle:
First, there are teliospores which go through the budding cycle. They turn into mating filaments and develop into the infection. From there it progresses to a stage called apressorium, and this is where the disease either turns into the tumors on the corn or by going into the leaves. If it goes either way, the result is the same; the galls turn into a sphere of teliospores, restarting the