corn smut

corn smut
a disease of corn caused by a fungus, Ustilago maydis, and characterized by blackish, powdery masses of spores on the affected parts of the plant.
[1880-85]

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      disease of plants caused by the fungus Ustilago maydis, which attacks corn (maize) plants, affecting any aboveground part. The early signs of an attack are whitish galls that later rupture to release dark spores capable of infecting other corn plants. Affected plants are often distorted. The disease is most vigorous in warm weather. Spores overwinter in soil and in corn litter and then infect the next year's planting.

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Universalium. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

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  • corn smut — ☆ corn smut n. a disease of corn caused by a smut fungus (Ustilago maydis), forming large black swellings …   English World dictionary

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  • Smut (fungus) — The smuts are fungi, mostly Ustilaginomycetes (of the class Teliomycetae, subphylum Basidiomycota), that cause plant disease.Smuts affect grasses, notably including cereal crops such as maize. They initially attack the plant s reproductive system …   Wikipedia

  • smut fungus — noun any fungus of the order Ustilaginales • Syn: ↑smut • Derivationally related forms: ↑smut (for: ↑smut) • Hypernyms: ↑fungus • H …   Useful english dictionary

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