At what stage do smut fungi usually infect their host plants?

Smut fungi typically infect their host plants during the early development stage. This is when the fungus can penetrate the growing tissues of the plant and establish itself before the plant’s defenses have fully developed. Early infection allows the fungi to exploit the plant's resources as it grows, leading to significant damage and the development of symptoms as the plant matures.

Understanding the infection timing is crucial for managing smut diseases, as it helps growers make informed decisions about monitoring and treatment applications. Other stages, like flowering, ripening, or maturity, are generally associated with different disease dynamics and are not the primary windows for initial infection by smut fungi.