The smut genus Thecaphora contains plant parasitic microfungi that typically infect very specific plant organs. In this study, we describe a new species of Thecaphora from Oxalis lanata var. rosea (Oxalidaceae) in the Cape Floristic Region of South Africa. Molecular phylogenetic reconstructions based on large subunit ribosomal DNA sequence data confirmed the generic placement of the fungus and ...

In 1930 the writer (7Y presented the results of early experiments on the control of barley covered smut (Ustilago hordei (Pers.) Kell, and Sw.) with dust fungicides, together with a rather comprehensive review of the pertinent literature on the subject up to that time. The development since then of new fungicidal dusts, some of which were effective in controlling barley stripe (Helminthosporium...

Although congruence between host and pathogen phylogenies has been extensively investigated, the congruence between host and pathogen genetic structures at the within-species level has received little attention. Using an unprecedented and comprehensive collection of associated plant-pathogen samples, we investigated the degree of congruence between the genetic structures across Europe of two ev...

BACKGROUND Spores of many fungal species have been documented as important aeroallergens. Airborne fungal spores are commonly collected from the outdoor air at the rooftop level of high buildings; however, human exposure usually occurs nearer to the ground. It is necessary to estimate the concentration of airborne fungal spores at the human breathing level to evaluate the actual human exposure ...

The morphology and phylogeny of anther smut specimens on Tractema verna collected in the United Kingdom were investigated using light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and partial rDNA sequence analyses. The anther smut of Tractema verna shows similarity to Antherospora eucomis, A. scillae, A. tourneuxii, A. urgineae, A. vaillantii, and A. vindobonensis but differs in spore size range, s...

Ustilago maydis is a plant pathogen fungus responsible for corn smut. It has a complex life cycle. In its saprophitic stage, it grows as haploid yeast cells, while in the invasive stage it grows as a mycelium formed by diploid cells. Thus, a correlation exists between genetic ploidy, pathogenicity and morphogenesis. Dimorphism can be modulated in vitro by changing environmental parameters such ...

A listing of current boiler and smut collector installations is given illustrating the reduction from 59 to 19 boilers without smut collectors. Maximum boiler size has increased from 57 to 147 th-l. lrrigated perforated plate type scrubbers have been the most numerous units installed but some dry multi-cyclone collectors have also been used. Smuts dewatering systems are examined, some problem a...

The Ustilago maydis-maize pathosystem has emerged as the current model for plant pathogenic basidiomycetes and as one of the few models for a true biotrophic interaction that persists throughout fungal development inside the host plant. This is based on the highly advanced genetic system for both the pathogen and its host, the ability to propagate U. maydis in axenic culture, and its unique cap...

Methods currently used in South Africa for determining the reactions of new sugarcane clones to smut, mosaic, leaf scald and streak during the process d selection are described and results from recent trials are presented. Resistance screening procedures have been expanded and improved in recent years. The main changes have been the regional location of trials involving the different diseases, ...

Cryptic structure of species complexes confounds an accurate accounting of biological diversity in natural systems. Also, cryptic sibling species often become specialized to different ecological conditions, for instance, with host specialization by cryptic parasite species. The fungus Microbotryum violaceum causes anther smut disease in plants of Caryophyllaceae, and the degree of specializatio...