Smuts

Description

A fungus that is spread by water (rain or other) splashing from the infected plant to one nearby or from the soil onto a plant. The fungus mostly attacks the stems of plants although in flowering plants it can infect the tips of the stamen. Dark coloured spots swell and can explode scattering large amounts of sooty black spores.

Symptoms

Smuts can be identified by small dark spots on stems. Larger dark swellings again on stems often accompanied by leaf distortion. Sometimes swelling and distortion of a flower’s stamen. Black sooty powder.

Treatment and control

General tips

Remove and destroy any affected part of the infected plant. Avoid splashing water around the affected plants. There are no fungicides approved to control Smuts.

Always read the label. Use pesticides safely.

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