COMMON SMUT

Description: Grayish to white enlarged galls develop on ears, leaf surfaces and sometimes tassels. As galls mature, masses of black powdery spores are released after rupturing the galls outer covering.

Location: Common smut occurs throughout Ohio on field, sweet and popcorn.

Time of attack: Common smut spores overwinter in the soil and are spread by wind and splashing rain to plant surfaces. Insect, hail or mechanical injury increases the incidence of the disease. Smut can be detected from tasseling through harvest on ears and on leaves and other plant parts nearly anytime.
Management: · Resistant hybrids
Control insect pests