Tilletia ayresii. [Descriptions of Fungi and Bacteria].

A description is provided for Tilletia ayresii. Information is included on the disease caused by the organism, its transmission, geographical distribution, and hosts. HOSTS: Panicum maximum, Panicum spp., Setaria spp. DISEASE: Ovary smut or bunt of Panicum and Setaria. GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION: Africa: Cameroon, Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritius, Mozambique, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe; Asia: Sri Lanka; Central America: Costa Rica; South America: Brazil, Colombia. (IMI Distribution Map 630, 1991). TRANSMISSION: No detailed studies have been reported. Ustilospores dispersed by wind and rain are likely to be found on seed and soil surfaces. The pathogen is not systemic and each diseased ovary represents a separate infection.