A NEW REPORT ON OCCURRENCE OF FALSE HEAD SMUT [USTILAGINOIDEA VIRENS (COOKE) TAKAHASHI] OF MAIZE (ZEA MAYS L.) FROM GUJARAT, INDIA

Abstract

False head smut also known as pseudo-smut, or green smut disease of maize (Zea mays L.) has been observed in the Panchmahals and Dahod districts of Middle Gujarat, India during kharif 2013. False head smut is categorized as a minor disease due to its sporadic occurrence. It infects only a few isolated male florets in the tassel show dark- green masses of spores (sori). Under bright-field light microscopy, the conidia are found to be round to eliptical and warty on the surface with diameters approximately ranging from 3 to 5 μm. The pathogen was identified as Ustilaginoidea virens (Cooke) Takahashi. The disease on maize is not at present of economic importance but it may pose serious threat in reduction of pollen production, if the disease is severe in tassels. A perusal of literature revealed that, this is the first report on occurrence of false head smut of maize [Ustilaginoidea virens (Cooke) Takahashi] from Gujarat.