Amaranth smut: biology, epidemiology and perspectives for sustainable management

Authors

  • Adriana Zamudio-Colunga Colegio de Postgraduados image/svg+xml , Posgrado en PREGEP Genética-Campus Montecillo Author
  • Eduardo Espitia-Rangel Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales Agrícolas y Pecuarias image/svg+xml , Campo Experimental Valle de México Author
  • Ignacio Benítez-Riquelme Colegio de Postgraduados image/svg+xml , Posgrado en PREGEP Genética-Campus Montecillo Author
  • Amalio Santacruz-Varela Colegio de Postgraduados image/svg+xml , Posgrado en PREGEP Genética-Campus Montecillo Author
  • Fernando Castillo-Gonzalez Colegio de Postgraduados image/svg+xml , Posgrado en PREGEP Genética-Campus Montecillo Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29312/remexca.v17i5.4222

Keywords:

Thecaphora amaranthi, control, diagnosis

Abstract

Amaranth is a crop of great nutritional and social value in Mexico; however, its production is threatened by amaranth smut (Thecaphora amaranthi), a fungus that can cause losses of up to 100% in infected fields. This work gathers information on the pathogen until 2025 that can provide knowledge of the subject for new scientific studies. The pathogen forms resistant teliospores that remain viable in the soil for several years, making eradication difficult. There are no specific fungicides for its control; the suggested strategies for its control are the use of certified seeds, crop rotation and resistant genotypes. Understanding the interaction between the pathogen and its environment and host is essential for developing comprehensive programs that ensure the crop’s sustainability and the producing communities’ food security.

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Published

2026-09-11

Issue

Vol. 17 No. 5 (2026)

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Articles

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How to Cite

Zamudio-Colunga, Adriana, Eduardo Espitia-Rangel, Ignacio Benítez-Riquelme, Amalio Santacruz-Varela, and Fernando Castillo-Gonzalez. 2026. “Amaranth Smut: Biology, Epidemiology and Perspectives for Sustainable Management”. Revista Mexicana De Ciencias Agrícolas 17 (5): e4222. https://doi.org/10.29312/remexca.v17i5.4222.

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