• The sori, which vary in length from 3 to 18 mm, is the solid long black (often curved) pointed columella which extends almost the full length of the sorus and which remains conspicuous after the smut spores have been blown away.

Management

• Seed treatment with Carboxin (Vitavax) @ 2g/kg or Captan/Thiram 4g/kg of seed.
• Collect smutted earheads in cloth bags and destruct by dipping in boiling water.
• Avoid rationing.