Tilletia is a pathogenic genus that causes smut diseases in cereal crops and grasses locally or systemically. Tilletia fungi cause diseases of wheat, barley, oats, and other cereals bunt. The disease bunt is also called a stinking smut fungus because of its unpleasant odour. Tilletia species replace cereal crop kernels with dark, teliospore-filled bunt balls. These bunt balls contain fungal teliospores that can infect healthy plants and reduce yields. The life cycle of Tilletia fungi is complex, with both sexual and asexual reproduction. Spores from mature bunt balls are spread by wind, humans, and land on susceptible host plants, causing infections. Teliospores infect immature grains by penetrating the growing florets. Developing kernels are replaced with bunt balls as the fungal mycelia grow. Multiple methods to manage Tilletia bunt diseases include the use of disease-resistant crops, crop rotation to reduce soil fungal spores, and seed fungicide application to prevent spore germination and infection. Good sanitation reduces spore spread, and cereal crop productivity is protected from Tilletia bunt diseases by early detection and management.