Observations on the Seasonal Development of the Grass Heteropogon contortus Infected by the Smut Sorosporium caledonicum

Abstract

The tillering behaviour of tussocks of Heteropogon contortus infected by Sorosporiwm caledonicum has been observed over three consecutive growing seasons. It has been established that infected tussocks may bear both smutted and flowering tillers in the course of a season. Some of the flowering tillers contain smut mycelium and are a source of smutted tillers in the following season. The relative importance of the various kinds of tiller to the longevity of the host and parasite is discussed.