Extensive genetic studies (1) and limited nutritional investigations (2, 3) have been accomplished for the wheat smut organism, Tilletia caries, but information is lacking concerning its metabolism and enzyme systems. A more systematic approach to control might be realized by a fuller understanding of the nutrition and metabolism of the smut fungus. Studies designed to elucidate the pathway of ...

ABSTRACT A polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism assay to distinguish Tilleita walkeri, a rye grass bunt fungus that occurs in the southeastern United States and Oregon, from T. indica, the Karnal bunt fungus, is described. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the ribosomal DNA repeat unit was amplified and sequenced for isolates of T. indica, T. walkeri,...

Ustilago tritici causes loose smut, which is a seed-borne fungal disease of wheat, and responsible for yield losses up to 40%. Loose smut is a threat to seed production in developing countries where small scale farmers use their own harvest as seed material. The killer protein 4 (KP4) is a virally encoded toxin from Ustilago maydis and inhibits growth of susceptible races of fungi from the Usti...

The influence of exogenic hormones (indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), abscisic acid (ABA) and kinetin) on defense reaction of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) calli to the bunt agent Tilletia caries (D.C.) Tul. & C. Tul. was studied. ABA and kinetin induced the oxalate oxidase activity, increased the Н2О2 level, decreased germination of fungi teliospores and induced on calli the occurrence of dense sites...

ABSTRACT The Karnal bunt pathogen, Tilletia indica, is heterothallic and depends on encounters on wheat spikes between airborne secondary sporidia of different mating types for successful infection and reproduction. This life history characteristic results in reduced reproductive success for lower population densities. Such destabilizing density dependence at low population levels has been desc...