Ustilago caused plant diseases are called smuts because

Options

A. they parasitise cereals
B. Mycelium is black
C. they develop sooty masses of spores
D. affected parts become completely black

Answer

C

Explanation

(c) The genus Ustilago (L. ustus = burnt) includes the group of fungi producing black sooty powder mass of spores ont the host plant parts imprating them a 'burnt' appearance, hence, the name, the black dusty masses of spores produced by these fungi resemble soot or smut, so these are also known as smut fungi.