Heads on infected plants may be partly or entirely affected. Smut balls replace seeds. Smut balls are enclosed with gray membranes that break at harvest releasing black spores. Survival and Spread. Survives as bunt balls and spores.
Balls break at harvest and black spores cover healthy seeds.
Spores can live eight years or more. May also survive in the soil. Spread by wind. Other Crops Affected. Rye and wild grasses.