Sugarcane smut

The main symptom of smut is a long whip-like shoot covered with black spores contained in a silver coloured membrane. It emerges at the top of the stem in place of the inflorescence. Other symptoms include stunting and production of thin horizontal leaves. Smut is spread by infected cuttings and spores released from the whip-like shoot. Infection takes place through seed pieces and through axillary buds of the growing plant.