Smuts
from class: Microbiology Definition Smuts are a group of fungi that primarily affect cereal crops and grasses, causing diseases characterized by black, powdery spores. These pathogens belong to the order Ustilaginales.
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Predict what's on your test 5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test Smuts produce teliospores which are thick-walled and serve as the overwintering stage. These fungi have a biotrophic lifestyle, meaning they rely on living host tissue for nutrition. Common cereal crops affected by smuts include corn, wheat, barley, and oats. Control methods for smut diseases often involve seed treatments and resistant crop varieties. Smuts can cause significant agricultural losses due to reduced yield and quality of infected crops. Review Questions What type of spores do smut fungi produce as their overwintering stage? How do smut fungi obtain nutrients from their hosts? Name at least two crops commonly affected by smut diseases.
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