Tilletia tritici

Tilletia tritici is a species of fungus that belongs to the Tilletia genus. It is commonly known as the wheat bunt fungus due to its propensity to infect wheat crops. The fungus is a significant plant pathogen, causing a disease known as bunt or stinking smut in wheat.

Taxonomy

The species was first described in 1797 by Christiaan Hendrik Persoon, a prominent mycologist. It is classified under the Tilletiaceae family in the Basidiomycota phylum. The genus name Tilletia is derived from the French botanist Mathieu Tillet, who was the first to describe the bunt disease in wheat.

Description and Life Cycle

Tilletia tritici is characterized by its dark brown to black spores, which are spherical and covered in minute spines. The spores are filled with a fetid, fishy-smelling substance, which gives the disease its common name of stinking smut.

The life cycle of Tilletia tritici involves two main stages: the teliospore stage and the basidiospore stage. The teliospores are the overwintering stage of the fungus, surviving in the soil until conditions are favorable for germination. Upon germination, the teliospores produce basidiospores, which are wind-dispersed and infect the wheat plants.

Disease Symptoms and Management

The primary symptom of Tilletia tritici infection is the replacement of the wheat kernels with masses of dark, foul-smelling spores. This can result in significant yield losses for wheat farmers.

Management of Tilletia tritici involves a combination of cultural practices, chemical treatments, and the use of resistant wheat varieties. Cultural practices include crop rotation and the removal of infected plant material. Chemical treatments typically involve the use of fungicides, while resistant varieties are developed through plant breeding programs.

Impact on Agriculture

Tilletia tritici is a significant pathogen of wheat, particularly in regions with cool, moist climates. The disease can cause substantial yield losses, and the presence of the fungus can also reduce the quality of the harvested grain, making it less suitable for use in food products.

See Also

• Tilletia caries
• Wheat diseases
• Plant pathology