Head smut of sorghum

Head smut of Sorghum is a fungal disease commonly seen in Sorghum(jowar) caused by
fungus Sporisorium reilianum
Classification :
Kingdom:Fungi
Phylum:Eukaryota
Division:Basidiomycota
Class:Ustilaginomycetes
Order:Ustilaginales
Family:Ustilaginaceae
Genus:Sporisorium
Species:reilianum
Characteristic symptoms :
-The ear head is either completely or partially replaced by a large whitish gall.
-Stunted growth due to a lack of elongation of the peduncle and rupture of the thick, white
peridium membrane.
-When the spores are blown away they expose the dark filaments of fungus
-Damage is confined mostly to head or penicle thus reducing grain yield and forage value Reference: MODERN PLANT PATHOLOGY by H. C. DUBE