Aspects of the Biology of Ustilago kamerunensis, a Smut Pathogen of Napier Grass (Pennisetum purpureum)

The smut Ustilago kamerunensis causes serious losses in biomass to Pennisetum purpureum, an important fodder crop in East Africa. Descriptions of symptoms in infected plants, and the morphology and size of fungal spores and sori agreed with those of the original record. Spores in soil remained viable for up to 16 weeks under ambient conditions, and were able to germinate at temperatures between 0 and 35°C in the laboratory. Sporidia and germ tubes were produced from spores on agar surfaces, but appressoria resulted from germinating spores on host plant surfaces. The infection court was the germinating tiller bud.