FORECAST SUMMARY: Wednesday, August 29:
*** Forecasts for the 2001 blue mold season will end on August 31 *** Blue mold has been very active this year. Infections have been reported from nearly all growing areas. We will continue to monitor potential transport scenarios, and will report any significant events.
*** Disease Update - 27 August *** Dan Van Hooren in Canada states that he does not foresee blue mold spreading very much this year. Bottom leaves have been harvested on most farms and the remaining leaves are already quite thick. Rainfall has been limited as well.
Eastern U. S. Weather...... The second of two early-week cold fronts now lies stationary over the southern mid-Atlantic states, the southern Appalachian Mountains, and the Ohio Valley. This front will move to the north as a warm front on Thursday. Isolated to scattered showers or thunderstorms are possible each day in these areas. The upper mid-Atlantic, New England, and southern Ontario will be clear to partly cloudy and dry. Highs will be mostly in the 80's, lows in the 60's.
*** Mixed conditions for survivable transport and deposition are expected for some areas Wednesday and Thursday *** However, long-range transport will not be a significant factor. In NC and VA... there is HIGH RISK today for eastern NC, Moderate Risk for central NC and southern VA. Moderate Risk is expected for this region on Thursday. In the southern Appalachian Mountains and the Ohio Valley.... there is Moderate Risk of disease development each day. In southern Ontario, southern New England, and the upper mid-Atlantic states.... there is Low Risk to commercial tobacco crops both Wednesday and Thursday.
*** We strongly encourage growers to monitor their plants for signs of disease. Diligent scouting and prompt reporting of blue mold are essential if one wishes to derive maximum benefit from the services we provide. ***
TK
HIGH RISK areas: eastern NC
Blue Mold Active in the Plant Bed and Greenhouse (click on small image for larger image)
What should one look for?
(Red = New, 1 to 7 days; Blue = Active, > 7 days; Green = Old)
Current Sources:
Previous Sources:
Papantla, Veracruz, Mexico
Tepic, Nayarit, Mexico
Uvalde, Texas
D'Hanis, Texas
Corpus Christi, Texas
Pinar del Rio, Cuba
***** NOTE: These forecasts/outlooks only apply to disease development from airborne transport of spores!!! We do not have the capability to ascertain blue mold development by other means, such as transplanting of infected seedlings, nor will we attempt to do so. Please consult the Extension Service personnel in your area if you have concerns about these matters! *****
This service is provided by the North Carolina State University departments of Plant Pathology and Marine, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences.