Corn smut is a fungus that grows in the ears of corn and changes corn kernels into black, powdery balls of fungus tissue. What would you hypothesize is the significance of the relationship between corn smut and corn?

Pathogenic fungus Ustilago maydis causing a plant disease which is known as corn smut (smuts on maize). This fungus grows in the ears of corn and changes corn kernels into black, and all above parts of the corn.

Corn smut showing a parasitic relationship with corn so, that it is using the corn as a way to spread spores, and causing pathogenic fungus disease.