What is Corn smut?
{{Speciesbox | name = Corn smut | image = Ustilago maydis diploid teleospores 160X.png | image_caption = ''Ustilago maydis'' diploid teleospores |genus = Ustilago |species = maydis |authority = ([[Augustin Pyramus de Candolle|DC.]]) [[August Carl Joseph Corda|Corda]]<ref name=if>{{IndexFungorum|169566|name=''Ustilago maydis''}}</ref> |synonyms_ref = |synonyms = }} {{Infobox plant disease | name = Corn smut | image = Ustilago maydis J1b.jpg | caption = ''Huitlacoche'' | common_names = ''huitlacoche'' (Mexico), blister smut of maize, boil smut of maize, common smut of maize, corn truffle{{citation needed|date=August 2020}} | causal_agents = ''Ustilago maydis'' | hosts = [[maize]] and [[teosinte]] | vectors = | EPPO_codes = USTIMA | distribution = Worldwide, where corn is grown<ref name=apsnet>{{cite web |title=Common smut of corn|url=https://www.apsnet.org/edcenter/intropp/lessons/fungi/Basidiomycetes/Pages/CornSmut.aspx|website=apsnet.org|publisher=American Phytopathological Society|access-date=2018-10-06}}</ref><ref name=gbif>{{GBIF|id=2557469|taxon=''Ustilago maydis'' (DC.) Corda|accessdate=2018-10-06}}</ref> }} '''Corn smut''' is a disease that affects [[corn]], which is also called [[maize]]. The [[fungus]] ''Ustilago maydis'' causes corn smut. Lumps of growing tissue called [[gall]]s grow on the corn. They can grow on the ears, [[leaves]] or stalks. Corn is more likely to have corn smut if it has been cut by machines or [[hail]]stones. [[Farmer|Farmers]] can stop corn smut by using corn that has been bred to be strong against the fungus. They can also stop corn smut by [[crop rotation]]. This is because the fungus can wait in the soil over the winter for the next crop. If the corn is not in the same field each year, it is harder for corn smut to reach new corn plants.<ref name=UME>{{cite web|url=https://extension.umn.edu/corn-pest-management/common-smut-corn |publisher=University of Minnesota Extension |access-date=May 3, 2021 |title=Common smut on corn}}</ref> Corn smut is