i've taken pictures of a badly deformed sweetcorn cob but don't know how to download the photos onto the site for advice; any tips?
ok if i can't get a photo through yet i would describe the problem as a near normal cob underneath although small with a dry grey alein of diferent sizes growing on top this is my second post and i guess a lot of you lucky folks are out for the night hence not a lot of replies thanks
Sounds like Smutt - I am sorry if it is because it means you will not be able to grow it for a while if any of the spores escape. Cut any infected bits down avoiding distrubing it too much and hope for the best. Google sweetcorn smutt to see if it is. :(
Picture:
(http://vegetablemdonline.ppath.cornell.edu/Images/SweetCorn/CornSmut/CornSmutfs1.jpg)
Info:
Smut factsheet (http://vegetablemdonline.ppath.cornell.edu/factsheets/Corn_Smut.htm)
thank you redclanger for your reply is this serious i've just picked about 20 cobs ok. does it just affect one plant or does it spread and should i tell my neighbouring allotmenteers and how will it affect the cobs that i've already picked and the ones that are left will they also come down
with it. any advice would be helpfull.as you can tell i'm quite a beginner
Sorry about the long link - will try to edit it.
QuoteCommon Smut (fungus - Ustilago maydis): Common smut is easily found in fields of sweet corn. The fungus overwinters as spores in the soil or in manure. They can survive 2 or 3 years. Spores may be windborne for long distances. Younger plants are more susceptible. Any above-ground part is susceptible. Ears are most commonly infected. Hail provides open wounds and greatly increases infection. Galls are formed as the common smut fungus causes cells of the corn plant to increase in size and number. These galls at first are covered with a thin white membrane. As the gall ages, the membranes break open to reveal a black powdery spore mass underneath. The spores are blown to adjoining corn plants where infection in repeated. The smut fungus is favored by high temperatures and high moisture. Optimum spore germination occurs from 79 to 100o F. Little infection occurs below 61o F. Plants grown in soils high in nitrogen or plants damaged through cultivation are most susceptible to infection. Seed treatment is not effective and breeding for resistance has not been successful.
It is usually best to avoid growing it for a couple of years in any area that has been infected by the spores. If you get it all down before the membrane spilits open, hopefully you will be OK. Smut is considered a delicacy by some. :-X
Someone said that the French (I think it was) regard smutty corn as a delicacy. Try it and see; you never know, you might want more next year!
thank you redclanger ,on reading your reply I dont think the grey things have burst.does that mean there is still hope
Yes - pick any with grey bits quickly - Good luck. :) And be careful not to burst them. I would use a very sharp knife and cut the stem without disturbing the plant too much - then dispose of not in the compost but household waste or burn.
hi Robert brenchley after seeing my lovely normal yellow cobs no way would I want to eat the 'orrible grey things.By the way it's only one or am I being to hopefull.Are the rest doomed?
I would wait and see but keep a very close watch as getting them early is better than them getting away and spreading their spores. It might be that they have only just become infected and it hasn't shown yet but they will be alright to eat.