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FOREWORD
THIS volume was started whilst Dr. Ainsworth was on the staff of the
Commonwealth Mycological Institute. In order to obtain a satisfactory
basis for the identification of tropical smuts it has been found necessary,
in this as in other groups, to become well acquainted with the species
present in this country. The results of his studies are incorporated in this
work, for the systematic part of which he is chiefly responsible. Miss
Sampson, formerly Senior Lecturer in Agricultural Botany, University
College of Wales, Aberystwyth, whose lifelong study of the Ustilaginales
has given her a wide knowledge of these fungi, especially their biology,
has collaborated with Dr. Ainsworth to produce this very valuable contribution
to mycological Uterature.
The authors have been conservative in their nomenclature, in my
opinion quite rightly, and no new species and only three new combinations
are proposed. Following the lead given by Dr. G. H. Cunningham in 1924
and since followed by others, the authors regard the loose smut of wheat
(Ostilago tritici) as specifically identical with the earher-named loose smut
of barley {U. nvda) and on morphological grounds alone it is difficult to
see how a change of name of the latter fungus, so important to plant
pathology, can be avoided. Furthermore, they follow Fischer in uniting
the covered smuts of oats [U. kplleri) and barley {U. hordei) as one species
{U. hordei). The Institute has undertaken to use the names of fungi
recommended in the List of Common British Plant Diseases, and the names
for these and a few other species discussed now need reconsideration by
the authorities responsible for the list. Until their decision is known the
names in current use in the Review of Applied Mycology are being retained
here.
The compilation of this monograph focuses attention on the gaps in our
knowledge of the germination of many of the species and it is hoped that
its publication will stimulate interest in this group of fungi, which is of
such great importance to agriculture.
S. P. WILTSHIRE
Director
COMMONWEALTH MYCOLOGICAI, INSTITUTE,
KEW, SUKBEY
23 December 1948