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Bunt, or stinking
smut |
Causal organism - Urocystis agropyri
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The disease is known to infect wheat and many grass species but the strain(s) that affect wheat are specific to wheat.
Affected plants are severely stunted. Excessive tillering is common and often the ears fail to emerge, remaining within the boot. Plants show long dark grey to black streaks on the leaf blades and leaf sheaths. The streaks eventually erupt, giving the leaves a ragged appearance and exposing the black teliospores which are then dispersed, giving the plants the appearance of being covered in soot.
