Ustilago bullata
head smut: grasses
Ustilago bromivora, Ustilago asprellae
Worldwide
Widespread
2024-11-11
fungus
-
Poaceae family of grasses; brome grass, wild rye grass, wheat grass, barley grass, fescue grass
USTIBU
This fungus attacks seed spikelets and is known to replace seed with fungal survival structures on all its hosts. It is not clear from the literature the exact distribution of this fungus, as well as its host range. Often used as a biocontrol agent on undesirable grasses.
5 Known Hosts
Agropyron spp.
wheat grasses
Yes
USTIBU-2, USTIBU-3, USTIBU-4
This fungus attacks seed spikelets and is known to replace seed with fungal survival structures.
Yes
Visual examination
Common physical purity tests during routine seed quality testing should identify any infection by this fungus.
Visual examination during physical purity testing
AOSA/SCST, ISTA
Cultural
Normal seed cleaning and conditioning should eliminate any contamination of seed by this fungus.
Farr, D.F. and Rossman, A.Y. Fungal Databases, Systematic Mycology and Microbiology Laboratory, ARS, USDA. 2017, http://nt.ars-grin.gov/fungaldatabases/
Richardson, MJ, 1990. An Annotated List of Seedborne Diseases. International Seed Testing Association, Zurich, Switzerland
Prevéy, J. S., & Seastedt, T. R. (2015). Increased winter precipitation benefits the native plant pathogen Ustilago bullata that infects an invasive grass. Biological Invasions, 17, 3041-3047.
AOSA Rules for Seed Testing; www.analyzeseeds.com
International Rules for Seed Testing. International Seed Testing Association; www.seedtest.org
Bromus spp.
brome grasses
Yes
USTIBU-2, USTIBU-3, USTIBU-4
This fungus attacks seed spikelets and is known to replace seed with fungal survival structures.
Yes
Visual examination
Common physical purity tests during routine seed quality testing should identify any infection by this fungus.
Visual examination during physical purity testing
AOSA/SCST, ISTA
cultural
Normal seed cleaning and conditioning should eliminate any contamination of seed by this fungus.
Farr, D.F. and Rossman, A.Y. Fungal Databases, Systematic Mycology and Microbiology Laboratory, ARS, USDA. 2017, http://nt.ars-grin.gov/fungaldatabases/
Richardson, MJ, 1990. An Annotated List of Seedborne Diseases. International Seed Testing Association, Zurich, Switzerland
Prevéy, J. S., & Seastedt, T. R. (2015). Increased winter precipitation benefits the native plant pathogen Ustilago bullata that infects an invasive grass. Biological Invasions, 17, 3041-3047.
AOSA Rules for Seed Testing; www.analyzeseeds.com
International Rules for Seed Testing. International Seed Testing Association; www.seedtest.org
Elymus spp.
wild rye grass
Yes
USTIBU-2, USTIBU-3, USTIBU-4
This fungus attacks seed spikelets and is known to replace seed with fungal survival structures.
Yes
Visual inspection
Common physical purity tests during routine seed quality testing should identify any infection by this fungus.
Visual examination during physical purity testing
AOSA/SCST, ISTA
cultural
Normal seed cleaning and conditioning should eliminate any contamination of seed by this fungus.
Farr, D.F. and Rossman, A.Y. Fungal Databases, Systematic Mycology and Microbiology Laboratory, ARS, USDA. 2017, http://nt.ars-grin.gov/fungaldatabases/
Richardson, MJ, 1990. An Annotated List of Seedborne Diseases. International Seed Testing Association, Zurich, Switzerland
Prevéy, J. S., & Seastedt, T. R. (2015). Increased winter precipitation benefits the native plant pathogen Ustilago bullata that infects an invasive grass. Biological Invasions, 17, 3041-3047.
AOSA Rules for Seed Testing; www.analyzeseeds.com
International Rules for Seed Testing. International Seed Testing Association; www.seedtest.org
Festuca spp.
fescue grasses
Yes
USTIBU-2, USTIBU-3
This fungus attacks seed spikelets and is known to replace seed with fungal survival structures.
Yes
Visual examination
Common physical purity tests during routine seed quality testing should identify any infection by this fungus.
Visual examination during physical purity testing
AOSA/SCST, ISTA
Normal seed cleaning and conditioning should eliminate any contamination of seed by this fungus.
Farr, D.F. and Rossman, A.Y. Fungal Databases, Systematic Mycology and Microbiology Laboratory, ARS, USDA. 2017, http://nt.ars-grin.gov/fungaldatabases/
Richardson, MJ, 1990. An Annotated List of Seedborne Diseases. International Seed Testing Association, Zurich, Switzerland
AOSA Rules for Seed Testing; www.analyzeseeds.com
International Rules for Seed Testing. International Seed Testing Association; www.seedtest.org
Hordeum spp.
barley grasses
Yes
USTIBU-2, USTIBU-3, USTIBU-4
This fungus attacks seed spikelets and is known to replace seed with fungal survival structures.
Yes
Visual examination
Common physical purity tests during routine seed quality testing should identify any infection by this fungus.
Visual examination during physical purity testing
AOSA/SCST, ISTA
cultural
Normal seed cleaning and conditioning should eliminate any contamination of seed by this fungus.
Farr, D.F. and Rossman, A.Y. Fungal Databases, Systematic Mycology and Microbiology Laboratory, ARS, USDA. 2017, http://nt.ars-grin.gov/fungaldatabases/
Richardson, MJ, 1990. An Annotated List of Seedborne Diseases. International Seed Testing Association, Zurich, Switzerland
Prevéy, J. S., & Seastedt, T. R. (2015). Increased winter precipitation benefits the native plant pathogen Ustilago bullata that infects an invasive grass. Biological Invasions, 17, 3041-3047.
AOSA Rules for Seed Testing; www.analyzeseeds.com
International Rules for Seed Testing. International Seed Testing Association; www.seedtest.org
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