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Corn Smut

Fungi

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Corn smut is a plant disease caused by the pathogenic fungus Mycosarcoma maydis, synonym Ustilago maydis, one of several cereal-crop pathogens known as smuts. The fungus forms galls on all above-ground parts of corn species such as maize and teosinte; the infected corn is edible, and in Mexico it is considered a delicacy called huitlacoche, often eaten as a filling in quesadillas and other tortilla-based dishes as well as in soups.

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