This seed-borne disease, primarily loose smut caused by Ustilago nuda, infects the developing embryo of the barley seed. When the infected seed is planted, the fungus grows systemically within the plant. At heading time, instead of normal grain, the plant produces a mass of black spores that blow away in the wind to infect neighboring healthy flowers.
Heard on the job
I saw a few heads of barley smut out in the west field, so we definitely need to use treated seed next year.
Also heard as
- loose smut
Do not mix it up with
- Barley scald: Barley scald affects the leaves with bleaching lesions, whereas barley smut replaces the grain head with black spores.
Related terms
Barley scald
A fungal disease that causes water-soaked, bleaching lesions on the leaves of barley plants.
Rogue
To remove inferior, diseased, or off-type plants from a crop to maintain genetic purity.
Seed
Any plant part intended for sowing and propagation, including true botanical seeds, tubers, or bulbs.