Sphacelotheca reiliana

Nature of damage

• The infection is systemic: the fungus penetrates the seedlings and grows inside the plant without showing symptoms, until the tasseling and silking stages.
• Infection of the tassel also leads to reduced pollen production.

Signs

• Abnormal development of the tassels, which become malformed and overgrown
• Black masses of spores that develop inside individual male florets
• Masses of black spores in place of the normal ear, leaving the vascular bundles exposed and shredded

Factors favoring development

• Dry and cool weather at the start of the season favors the disease as maize seedling growth is slow.
• Later in the season dry and warm conditions (21-30°C) favor disease severity.
• Soil moisture content of 15-25% W/w is optimal for seedling infection.
• Head smut has been recorded as being more severe under nitrogen deficiency.

Geographic distribution

• Worldwide distribution

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