· When black spores appear on your lawn or garden plants, it?s understandably frustrating. Try not to panic, we?ve got lots of information about treatingblacksmutfungus, a common cause of black spores on turfgrass, small grains and ornamentals. There isn’t just one type of black smut fungus. Rather, there are many host-specific species. Some varieties inflict systemic damage, living in plant tissue and evolving as a plant grows. Others are localized, damaging only the parts they come in direct contact with. When an infection is systemic, entire plants are affected, and their seed and debr...See full list on gardenerspath.comIn addition to black smut fungi, there are white smut species of the Entylomagenus that may affect garden ornamentals. The infection begins in the foliar tissue, causing white, tan, or yellow patches to form on foliage that darken and join, causing tissue to turn black, or necrotic, and die. Entylomaspecies are soilborne, and they can winter over a...See full list on gardenerspath.comWith an overview of numerous species and the threats they pose, let’s move on and try to understand what activates them in the first place. Conditions that stimulate fungal germination and teliospore dispersal include:See full list on gardenerspath.comKnowing the conditions conducive to fungal disease informs our gardening practices, so we can do our best to avoid contracting it altogether. Here are some proactive steps to take:See full list on gardenerspath.comView allSmuts is a plant-pathogenic group of fungi with significant economic importance. These fungi are characterized by the production of masses of dark, sooty spores called teliospores. The powdery masses of spores give the appearance of dirt or ash, hence the name smuts. If your lawn has been affected by smut, our DIY smuttreatment guide will show how to get rid of smut disease using professional fungicide recommendations. · Reducing drought stress through proper irrigation practices will help to reduce smut injury. Proper and consistent mowing practices will also reduce incidences of smut, particularly on loose smut that affects the inflorescence. A healthy and vigorous lawn is less likely to get the disease. · Although blacksmut is a minor disease in most parts of the country, it’s important to know how to handle it when your lawn or garden suddenly develops a load of black spores. Yes, preventive measures include using smut-resistant plant varieties, treating seeds with fungicides, practicing crop rotation, maintaining sanitation, and implementing cultural practices to reduce disease risks. Smuts is a plant-pathogenic group of fungi with significant economic importance. These fungi are characterized by the production of masses of dark, sooty spores called teliospores. The powdery masses of spores give the appearance of dirt or ash, hence the name smuts. If your lawn has been affected by smut, our DIY smuttreatment guide will show how to get rid of smut disease using professional fungicide recommendations. · Reducing drought stress through proper irrigation practices will help to reduce smut injury. Proper and consistent mowing practices will also reduce incidences of smut, particularly on loose smut that affects the inflorescence. A healthy and vigorous lawn is less likely to get the disease. · Although blacksmut is a minor disease in most parts of the country, it’s important to know how to handle it when your lawn or garden suddenly develops a load of black spores. Yes, preventive measures include using smut-resistant plant varieties, treating seeds with fungicides, practicing crop rotation, maintaining sanitation, and implementing cultural practices to reduce disease risks.
