Corn-Smut Disease

Corn-Smut Disease.

Corn-smut is a disease caused by the fungus, Ustilago maydis. In this disease, the fungal spores enter through the corn silks  (Note: each silk represents a single kernel created when the corn silk is pollinated). Once pollination is completed and the silks appear darkened brown; the silks do not distinguish between a pollen grain and a fungal spore–it simply appears as if pollination has taken place. At this point, the infection has already begun. Continue reading →