Smut and Bunt Diseases of Wheat: Biology, Identification, and Management

Abstract

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L. AABBDD; Family Poaceae) is a prime dietary cultivated cereal that is consumed worldwide by nearly 20% of the world population. However, due to cosmopolitan distribution, there are a wide plethora of biological variables that seriously threaten wheat productivity around the world. Out of 31 major pathogens and pests reported, the fungal smut and bunt causing agents put serious threat and have drawn much wider attention in the last few decades. These seed-targeted diseases damage seed quality and quantity and are managed through improved agronomic approaches and resistant varieties. However, maintaining multiple resistances in particular single-wheat cultivars has to be a high priority especially during disease epidemics. Therefore, in order to shape the breeding efforts as well as more precise, sustainable, and effective disease management, the present chapter highlights the biology of smut and bunts, management strategies including physical, chemical, biological, cultural, integrated methods, and molecular diagnostics in a detailed manner.