Which of the following crops is particularly affected by smut fungi?

The choice of wheat as the crop particularly affected by smut fungi is correct due to its susceptibility to various species of these pathogens. Smut fungi are known to infect wheat plants, causing significant economic losses in agricultural production. One of the most notable smut diseases affecting wheat is wheat smut, specifically caused by the fungus Tilletia tritici, which can lead to decreased yields and quality of the grain.

Smut fungi typically produce teliospores that can remain dormant in the soil or on infected plant material, making them persistent threats to wheat crops. The lifecycle of these fungi allows them to spread rapidly, especially in environments that are favorable for their growth, such as warm and moist conditions. Therefore, they pose a substantial risk to wheat production, making this crop a prime example when discussing the impact of smut fungi on agriculture.

In contrast, although the other crops listed might face various fungal diseases, they are not specifically or severely impacted by smut fungi to the same extent as wheat. This specificity reinforces why wheat is designated as particularly affected by smut fungi.