Urocystis brassicae | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Fungi |
Division: | Basidiomycota |
Class: | Ustilaginomycetes |
Order: | Urocystidales |
Family: | Urocystidiaceae |
Genus: | Urocystis |
Species: | U. brassicae
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Binomial name | |
Urocystis brassicae Mundk., (1938)
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Urocystis brassicae is a gall smut[1] and a plant pathogen that stunts the infected plants.[2] It is known to create root galls on Indian Mustard (Brassica campestris) and other Brassica species.
The wart-like galls of U. brassicae grow on the roots of plants.[3][4][5] When young, the galls are white in color.[2] As they age, they become a grayish-black colored gall with a 2–5 cm diameter.[2]
Urocystis brassicae has two types of spores.[4] One is fertile and the other is sterile.[4] Fertile spores are a deep brown color with dimensions of approximately 20 by 16 μm.[4] These fertile spores are surrounded by sterile spores that are elongated and a brighter brown than the fertile spores.[4] These sterile spores are approximately 9.9 by 6.1 μm.[4]
Urocystis brassicae is commonly found in India (Bihar) [6] and China.[1]