Common maize smut

(Ustilago maydis)

Credits: Biovision-Infonet

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.

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.