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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Beltsville, Maryland (BARC) » Beltsville Agricultural Research Center » Mycology and Nematology Genetic Diversity and Biology Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #389015
Research Project: Enhancing Plant Protection through Fungal Systematics

Location: Mycology and Nematology Genetic Diversity and Biology Laboratory

Title: Peanut smut: a diagnostic guide

Author
item OSPINA-MALDONADO, SUSANA - Bolivar State University
item Castlebury, Lisa
item Bennett, Rebecca
item Salgado-Salazar, Catalina

Submitted to: Plant Health Progress
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/6/2022
Publication Date: 10/24/2022
Citation: Ospina-Maldonado, S., Castlebury, L.A., Bennett, R.S., Salgado-Salazar, C. 2022. Peanut smut: a diagnostic guide. Plant Health Progress. 23:492-496. https://doi.org/10.1094/PHP-10-21-0131-DG.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1094/PHP-10-21-0131-DG

Interpretive Summary: Smut fungi are globally distributed plant pathogens of many agricultural crops, including corn, potato, and wheat. They produce dark masses of spores making food crops unpalatable and causing a reduction in yields. Peanut smut, caused by the fungus Thecaphora frezzii, is one of the most destructive diseases affecting the peanut industry in Argentina. It is not known to occur in the United States. In this guide, we highlight the required steps for the proper identification of this disease and the pathogen itself. This information will help plant pathologists, extension personnel, and regulatory officials identify and prevent entry of this pathogen into the U.S.

Technical Abstract: Thecaphora frezzii is a basidiomycete pathogen known to cause peanut smut, an economically important disease currently affecting the commercial peanut industry in Argentina. This disease was first reported on wild peanuts in Brazil; however, no commercial peanut plantations have been affected by the disease in that or any other country. The main objective for this diagnostic guide is to provide information about disease symptoms and pathogen isolation, identification, and storage, as well as pathogenicity testing, aimed at facilitating the detection and identification of this disease.