Rust and smuts are fungal diseases that affect plants. They are named as such because the infected plants show characteristics of rust and smut, respectively. Though both are fungal diseases, there are more characteristics that distinguish them apart. Furthermore, it is important to learn about these fungal diseases as it affects a large variety of plants, including valuable crop plants. Read on to explore the differences between the two fungal plant pathogens.
Difference Between Smut and Rust |
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Rust is a group of fungal diseases that affect plants. The name “rust” is given because the affected plants have a characteristic “rusty” appearance |
Smut is another group of fungal diseases that affects plants, especially grasses. The name “smut” is given due to the sooty, black appearance in affected plants |
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Uredospore stage |
Teliospore Stage |
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Can be either Heteroecious (fungi requires two unrealed hosts to complete its life cycle) or Autoecious |
Autoecious (all the stages of the fungal life cycle occur on the same host) |
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Intercellular – using haustoria |
Can either by intercellular (by means of haustoria) or intracellular |
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Present, but quite rare |
Clamp connections are quite common |
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Produces up to five kinds of spores – aeciospores, teliospore, pycniospores, basidiospores and uredospores |
Produces only one kind of spore- smut spores (equivalent to teliospores) |
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The terminal cells of the mycelium give rise to teliospore |
Intercalary cells give rise to smut spores |
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Teliospores are stalked, two-celled, with each cell binucleated |
Smut spores can either be uninucleated or binucleated. |
Related Links:
- More Difference Between
- Kingdom Fungi- Structure, Characteristics & Classification Of Fungi
- Fungi Life Cycle: Introduction, Life Cycle, FAQs
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