Tilletia foetida

Tilletia foetida is a species of fungus in the family Tilletiaceae. It is commonly known as the stinking smut of wheat or dwarf bunt, and is a significant plant pathogen, particularly affecting wheat crops.

Taxonomy

The species was first described scientifically by mycologist Johann Heinrich Friedrich Link in 1809. It belongs to the genus Tilletia, which comprises around 150 species of fungi that are known to cause bunt diseases in grasses.

Description

Tilletia foetida is characterized by its production of dark brown to black teliospores, which are spherical and covered in minute spines. The spores have a distinctive foul odor, hence the common name "stinking smut". The fungus primarily affects the grains of wheat, replacing the normal grain tissues with masses of spores.

Life cycle

The life cycle of Tilletia foetida involves a sexual stage, in which the teliospores germinate to produce basidiospores. These basidiospores can infect the wheat plant, leading to the development of the disease.

Impact

Tilletia foetida is a significant pathogen of wheat, causing yield losses and reducing the quality of the harvested grain. The disease is particularly problematic in regions with cold winters, as the fungus requires a period of cold temperature to become infectious.

Control

Control of Tilletia foetida involves a combination of crop rotation, use of resistant wheat varieties, and fungicide application. Proper sanitation practices, such as the removal and destruction of infected plant material, can also help to reduce the spread of the disease.

See also

• List of wheat diseases
• Tilletia caries