Question

The smuts of crop plants are caused by

• A. Puccinia
• B. Cystopus
• C. Ustilago
• D. Agaricus

Answer 1

The correct option is C Ustilago

Smut, plant disease primarily affecting grasses, including corn (maize), wheat, sugarcane, and sorghum, caused by several species of fungi. Smut is characterized by fungal spores that accumulate in sootlike masses called sori, which are formed within blisters in seeds, leaves, stems, flower parts, and bulbs. The smuts are obligate pathogens of plants that cause devastating diseases of cereal crops including common bunt or stinking smut of wheat, caused by Tilletia caries, and corn smut (of maize), caused by Ustilago maydis.

So, the correct answer is 'Ustilago'.