BUNTS
SYMPTOMS
The disease is not evident until the wheat plant is in the heading stage. The diseased heads are usually slim compared with healthy ones, and they retain their greenish colour longer. They stand more nearly erect than healthy heads, because of their lighter weight. Stunting of growth of diseased plants is also common.
The kernel, during growth, is transformed into a spore ball, which is shorter and plumper but lighter in weight than a normal wheat grain. The spore balls are recognizable by their colour which is darker than that of the healthy grains.
Diseased grains retain more or less the shape and size of normal kernels. When broken open the smut balls are found to be filled with black or dark-brown powdery substance composed entirely of spores. The offensive odour announces the presence of heavy infections in the field.
