smut

Smut is a term used in several unrelated fields. In botany and agriculture, it names a group of fungal diseases that affect grains and grasses. In culture and media, smut is a colloquial term for sexually explicit material, especially pornographic writing, images, or video.

In plant pathology, smut refers to fungal pathogens in orders such as Ustilaginales that infect cereal crops like corn, wheat, barley, oats, and rye. Infected tissues often produce masses of dark, powdery spores that replace the grain or flowers, leading to yield losses. Common examples include corn smut (Ustilago maydis) and loose smut of wheat (Tilletia spp.). Management relies on resistant varieties, crop rotation, sanitation, and fungicide use where appropriate. Diagnosis is based on symptoms such as enlarged galls or spore masses and microscopic analysis of spores.

As a term in media and publishing, smut denotes materials with explicit sexual content intended for adult audiences. The definition varies by culture and law; what counts as smut or pornography is often distinguished from literary erotica by intent, explicitness, and depictions of sexual acts. In many jurisdictions, distribution and access are regulated to protect minors, and platforms may apply age-verification and content policies.

Other uses: historic or regional variations may refer to dirt, soot, or blemishes on crops or machinery. Because the term spans biology, culture, and everyday language, context is essential to interpret its meaning correctly.