Huitlacoche Corn Smut: How to Grow it and How to Prevent It

Also spelled cuitlacoche, huitlacoche is corn infested with a smut-a variety of fungus-Ustilago maydis. In Mexico, it is valued for its earthy, smoky flavor, and farmers love it; but in the United States, any ear of corn that is not pristine is to be rejected, and most American farmers (not purveyors to the Mexican palate) avoid huitlacoche with a passion. They do everything in their power to prevent its presence, its infestation. Indeed, among some, huitlacoche is called "Devil's corn." In truth, huitlacoche (Aztec) translates roughly "raven's excrement."

How to Abhor and Prevent Huitlacoche

What can be done to protect corn from smut? There is really nothing that can guarantee 100 percent success. Varieties of sweet corn with a degree of resistance can be planted, such as Silver King and Argent. The Cornell University web site says nearby farmers would have to cooperate in a kind of hand-picking elimination of "smut balls." Add to this long-term crop rotation, and the end result would only be a reduction of the infestation. High soil nitrogen and high humidity disfavor successful treatment.

How to Love and Grow Huitlacoche

Some claim that huitlacoche cannot be propagated. However, Eric Goldscheider, a correspondent of the Boston Globe informs us of a successful technique employing hand-administration using a large syringe such as that used to medicate large animals. The syringe is attached to a small hose supplied by plastic milk jugs of spore containing liquid. The silk of each ear of corn is hosed by hand. Within two weeks, quite good results are obtained.¹ Cultivation of huitlacoche is now legally acceptable in Pennsylvania and Florida.

Are there Health Benefits from Consuming Huitlacoche?

It may be that huitlacoche will eventually establish itself in a large way in the United States. If so, what consolation can one take if they were among the opposers? Apparently, huitlacoche offers certain health benefits. MSNBC states, "Corn has virtually no lysine; huitlacoche is loaded with it. It also is packed with more beta-glucens - the soluble fiber that gives oatmeal its well-known cholesterol-cutting power - than, well, oatmeal."

So, even though Americans may currently enjoy perfect little kernels of white or yellow corn, we may one day wind up eating ugly gray-black growths instead, and find our taste buds oddly satisfied, and our bodies healthier, too.

¹ Boston Globe Food Section - "His crop isn't pretty but it tastes great," by Eric Goldscheider.

References and Resources:

Zarela - Huitlacoche Corn Fungus

Cornell University - Smut of Sweet Corn

Boston Globe Food Section - "His crop isn't pretty but it tastes great," by Eric Goldscheider.

Garden Guides - What Causes Fungus in Sweet Corn?