Microbotryales

Microbotryomycetes • Basidiomycota • fungi • plant diseases • pests-diseases-weeds

Sphacelotheca reiliana - head smut of maize (click on image to enlarge it)
Author(s): R.L. Croissant
Source: IPM Images

Microbotryales

This order of basidiomycetous fungi contains around 100 species which cause smut diseases on inflorescences. In many cases they infect anthers and the group is also called "anther smuts". Another example from this group is Sphacelotheca reiliana which causes head smut of sorghum and maize, an important disease in many countries, especially in warmer regions.

The following genera are currently entered under this order:

• Microbotryum violaceum