Sugarcane smut (Ustilago scitaminea) is a fungal disease that is spread by wind-blown
spores and by planting infected material. The fungus forces the plant to produce a
modified flower that looks like a long, black whip (Figure 4). This structure is full of the
black spores of the fungus. Infested plants have profuse tillering with very thin stalks, and
gives the plant a grass-like appearance. This disease is found in nearly all sugarcane
industries world-wide and is rated as one of the most important sugarcane diseases