FORECAST SUMMARY: Friday, May 4:
*** Disease Update - 4 May *** An update on the Texas sources..... Our thanks to Dave Lemke, at Southwest Texas State University. Recent visits to previous wild tobacco areas indicate that there are a few plants (10-12) near D'Hanis that are heavily infected with blue mold. He found no wild tobacco in the Uvalde/Knippa area. The source list has been updated to reflect this change.
*** Possible long-range transport to the southern Appalachian Mountains on Sunday *** Conditions in the Southeast U.S. are unfavorable for disease development Friday and Saturday. Sunny, dry weather is expected. Low Risk to tobacco crops in the Southeast Friday and Saturday. Saturday afternoon, a cold front will approach the region from the north, moving into South Carolina by Sunday morning. Behind the front.... cloudy, cool weather is expected in NC on Sunday. The trajectory moves west, and there may be a chance of light rain. There is Moderate Risk to crops in central and western NC and northeast TN. Sunday's transport event will be watched closely, and we will post updated forecasts if necessary. Localized disease development is possible in northern FL. Elsewhere.... the TX sources do not pose a threat to other growing regions this weekend.
TK
HIGH RISK areas: None
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)
Climate Outlooks and Epidemic Prognoses
Current Sources:
Previous Sources:
Papantla, Veracruz, Mexico
Tepic, Nayarit, Mexico
Uvalde, Texas
***** 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.