Mathre, D.E. 2000. Stinking smut of wheat. The Plant Health Instructor. DOI: 10.1094/PHI-I-2000-1030-01
Updated, 2005.

DISEASE:  Stinking smut (common bunt) of wheat

PATHOGEN:  Tilletia tritici, Tilletia laevis

HOSTS:  Wheat, bread and durum

Author
Don E. Mathre,
Montana State University

Stinking smut, with its obvious masses of black, smelly teliospores, was noted long before the germ theory of disease was accepted. From the late 1800s until the 1930s, before good seed treatment fungicides became available, stinking smut was a devastating disease of wheat, particularly in winter wheat grown in the Pacific Northwest. It continues to be a problem throughout the world where untreated seed is planted.

Field view of stunted, smut-infected wheat plants.
Courtesy R. Johnston, copyright-free)