International Blue Mold Reports for 2001

from the

CORESTA Blue Mould Warning Service

In 2001, the Forecast Center received 18 official warnings from the CORESTA Blue Mould Warning Service between March 15 and August 7. CORESTA, headquartered in Paris, France, has a network of expert observers servicing the regions of Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. These warnings included over 30 reports of blue mold from 10 different countries. From late February through mid-May, blue mold was observed and reported from 4 countries in North Africa and the Middle East (Morocco, Tunisia, Syria, and Iran). Blue mold was observed and reported in the European countries of Poland, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Belgium, France, and Hungary from late June through early August. The detailed reports issued by CORESTA are given below. We wish to thank Francois Jacob, the CORESTA staff, and the international observers for their cooperation in this endeavor.

Site of Outbreak

Observation Date

Received by CORESTA

REPORT

Morocco	Feb. 22, 2001	Mar. 14, 2001	First outbreak of blue mold, at the Crop Control Centre of Ouezzane, in seedbeds of dark tobacco, variety B 47, stage 4 leaves. Information received from Regie des Tabacs / Casablanca (Morocco). March 15, 2001. Ref. 082
Tunisia	Mar. 29, 2001	Apr. 2, 2001	First outbreak of blue mould, at the Gabes Centre (Teboulbou). Light and localised outbreak on snuff tobacco variety. Treatment with Ridomil MZ 58 underway. Information received from Mr. Hamadi YAHIAOUI, Regie Nationale des Tabacs et Allumettes / Tunis (Tunisia). April 2, 2001. Ref. 101
Syria	Apr. 3, 2001	Apr. 14, 2001	First outbreak of blue mould on "Balady" variety in the tobacco fields at the coastal area Banias (Ein Al Sharkih village). Information received from Dr. Fayssal Sammak, Chairman - General Director, General Organisation of Tobacco, Damascus (Syria). April 18, 2001. Ref. 115
Iran	April 18, 2001	Apr. 19, 2001	(1) Severe outbreak of blue mould with high sporulation in seedbeds of Coker 347 variety in Jamkhaneh in northern Iran (Mazandaran province). (2) Outbreak of blue mould, with high sporulation, on Coker 347 and Burley 21 at the transplanting state, in Ghorohg in north western Iran (Celestan province). Treatment with Ridomil MZ. Information received from N. KIA, General Director, Tobacco Research Institute of Tirtash, Behshahr (Iran). April 23, 2001. Ref. 131
Tunisia	May 14, 2001	May 25, 2001	(1) Centres Kilibia (Northeast): Light localised outbreak of blue mould on local dark air-cured tobacco at the 6-8 leaf stage in the field. (2) Tabarka, Ain Draham, Nefza, (North): Lower leaves of early planted crop infected. Climatic conditions very favourable to outbreak. Treatment with Ridomil MZ 58 underway. Information received from Mr. Hamadi YAHIAOUI, Regie Nationale de Tabacs et Allumettes / Tunis (Tunisia). May 25, 2001. Ref. 163
Morocco	May 3, 2001	June 15, 2001	First outbreak of blue mould at the Crop Control Centre of Marrakech, in seedbeds of dark tobacco, variety B 47, stage 5 and 6 leaves. Information received from M. DIKI, Chef de Division Adjoint, Regie des Tabacs / Casablanca (Morocco). June 15, 2001. Ref. 176
Poland	July 6, 2001	July 11, 2001	(1) Report of blue mold in the Krakow District. Variety Burley / TN 90, growing stage 14 leaves. 2 leaves with BM lesions, avg. 2 lesions/leaf. Treatment with Pencozeb (27/06/01) and Ridomil (06/07/01), removal of bottom leaves. Information received from T. BIERUT, Universal Leaf Tobacco (Poland). July 11, 2001. Ref. 203
Poland	July 9, 2001	July 11, 2001	(2) Report of blue mold in the Lezajsk District. Variety FCV / Wislica, growing stage 8 leaves. 2 leaves with BM lesions, avg. 4 lesions/leaf. Treatment with Ridomil (09/07/01), removal of bottom leaves. (3,4) Reports of blue mold in the Krakow District. Variety Burley / TN 90. Plants at growing stage 12-14 leaves, 3 leaves with BM lesions, 6-8 lesions/leaf. Plants at growing stage 8-10 leaves, 8-10 leaves with BM lesions, 4-6 lesions/leaf. Treatment with Ridomil, removal of bottom leaves. Information received from T. BIERUT, Universal Leaf Tobacco (Poland). July 11, 2001. Ref. 203
Poland	July 10, 2001	July 11, 2001	(5) Report of blue mold in the Lezajsk District. Variety FCV / Wislica, growing stage 12 leaves. 2 leaves with BM lesions, avg. 3 lesions/leaf. Treatment with Ridomil (10/07/01), removal of bottom leaves. Information received from T. BIERUT, Universal Leaf Tobacco (Poland). July 11, 2001. Ref. 203
Switzerland	July 11, 2001	July 12, 2001	First outbreak of blue mould in the Fribourg Canton (Morat region) on Virginia tobacco, Golta variety. Lower leaves affected (approximately one sporulating spot per leaf). Treated on the same day with Ridomil Gold. Treatment to be repeated towards 14-16 July. Infected plants destroyed. Information received from Daniel GINDRAT, Station federale de recherches en production vegetale de Changins (Switzerland). July 12, 2001. Ref. 204
Germany	July 11, 2001	July 16, 2001	Two outbreaks for blue mould in the field at Forchheim. Only up to 10 plants of the flue-cured varieties Golta and HYV7 showed any visible signs of blue mould. The plants had twice been treated with Ridomil TK (15% Metalaxyl and 45% Mancozeb) in the seedbeds and once with Ridomil TK (1 kg/ha) in the field on 22 June. Following the outbreak of blue mould, on 12 July, the tobacco in the field was again treated with Ridomil TK (1,5 kg/ha). The spread of the mould seems to have been curtailed but the situation will continue to be monitored closely. Information received from Norbert BILLENKAMP, Landesanstalt fur Pflanzenbau Forchheim (Germany). July 16, 2001. Ref. 206
Switzerland	July 12, 2001	July 17, 2001	Site: Canton d'Argovie. Outbreak of blue mould on burley 92 variety. Principal outbreak of diameter 20 m was destroyed on 14 July. Treatment with Ridomil gold to follow as soon as weather conditions are favourable. Information received from Daniel GINDRAT, Station federale de recherches en production vegetale de Changins (Switzerland). July 17, 2001. Ref. 209
Switzerland	July 16, 2001	July 17, 2001	Site: Cantons de Vaux et Fribourg (Vallee de la Broye). Two plots of Burley 93 variety affected. Situation under control. Information received from Daniel GINDRAT, Station federale de recherches en production vegetale de Changins (Switzerland). July 17, 2001. Ref. 209
Poland	July 16, 2001	July 18, 2001	Report from Lezajsk District. Variety FCV/DH-17. Growing stage, 15 leaves. 5 leaves with BM lesions. Average of 7 lesions/leaf. Chemical treatment, Ridomil. Information received from T. BIERUT, Universal Leaf Tobacco (Poland). July 11, 2001. Ref. 210
Italy	July 15, 2001	July 18, 2001	Site: north of Umbria (Corlo). Outbreak of blue mould on FCV ITB 609 variety. Treatment with Ridomil Gold on 16 July. Situation under control. Information received from Marco PRAT, Gattoria Autonoma Tabacchi (Italy). July 18, 2001. Ref. 211
Belgium	June 27, 2001	July 18, 2001	Site: Wervik and Beselare (West Flanders).Outbreak of blue mould in two fields in Wervik and two fields in Beselare on Filippijn variety (dark air cured) one month after planting at about the 8 leaf stage. Outbreaks localised in the field and area of approx. 3 ha affected. On severely affected plants, about 6 lesions per leaf on 3 lowest leaves observed. On the other plants in the field, 0-2 lesions per plant noted. Sporulation observed. Immediate treatment with metalaxyl + mancozeb, destruction of severely affected tobacco, and removal of bottom leaves on the remainder of the affected plants. Infection probably started in the greenhouse where the plants were produced as the plants from the 4 fields were grown in the same greenhouse. Information received from Greet GHEKIERE, Provinc. Centrum voor Land-en Tuinb. (Belgium). July 20, 2001. Ref. 216
Germany	July 13, 2001	July 20, 2001	First outbreak of blue mould in Germany. Light intensity. Affected leaves removed. Treatment with Ridomil TK. Information received from Gunter HECHLER, Geschaftsfuhrer, Bundesverband Deutscher Tabakpflanzer (Germany). July 20, 2001. Ref. 216
France	July 18, 2001	July 23, 2001	Site: Dordogne. Systemic outbreak of blue mould on Burley BB16C variety - flowering stage. High sporulation on all stalk positions. 0,70 ha of 2 ha hillside crop affected. Affected plot destroyed. Prior to outbreak, erratic preventative treatment was carried out. Contamination suspected to have occurred beginning of June. Information received from Mrs. LENOIR, Union des Cooperatives Agricoles des Producteurs de Tabac (France). July 25, 2001. Ref. 218
Belgium	Week 29	July 24, 2001	Severe blue mould outbreak in CORESTA trial on varieties Bergerac C, Bel 61-10, Samsoun, NC 11-51 and ITB 261. Weather conditions conducive to blue mould outbreaks. Information received from Greet GHEKIERE, Provinc. Centrum voor Land-en Tuinb. (Belgium). July 20, 2001. Ref. 218
Poland	July 16-24, 2001	July 26, 2001	Site: Lublin District (near Zamo). Outbreak of blue mould observed in the fields near Zamo (Lublin District, eastern Poland) during the period 16 July (low intensity) to 24 July (severe intensity) on Burley TN 90 variety. Weather conditions favourable for development of pathogen. Bottom leaves of infected plants removed, and Ridomil Gold applied as soon as weather conditions permitted. Information received from Marek SZWAGRZYK, Central Laboratory of the Tobacco Industry, Krakow (Poland). July 30, 2001. Ref. 224
Poland	July 26, 2001	July 27, 2001	Site: Dziewi cioly, South Miechow. Outbreak of blue mould on dark, air-cured tobacco - Milenium variety - at bud stage. Four to five leaves per plant infected, 2-20 lesions per leaf. No preventative sprays done before blue mould infections. As plants almost at reaping stage, farmer advised to remove only infected leaves to improve ventilation. Information received from T. BEIRUT, Universal Leaf Tobacco (Poland). July 30, 2001. Ref. 224
France	July 26, 2001	July 30, 2001	Site: Bas-Rhin (Wittisheim): Outbreak of blue mould on Golta variety - flowering stage. Crop grown on plain - entire 3,10 ha affected. Plants not destroyed. Site: Bas-Rhin (Matzenheim): Outbreak of blue mould on ITB 1000 and BB16B variety - flowering stage. Crop grown on plain - entire 3 ha affected (1,50 ha ITB 1000 and 1,50 ha BB16B). Plants not destroyed. Information received from Jean-Louis AMAN, Union des Cooperaties Agricoles des Producteurs de Tabac (France). July 30, 2001. Ref. 224
Poland	July 27, 2001	July 31, 2001	Report of blue mold in the Lublin District, east region. Variety FCV / Wislica, growing stage bud stage. 1-2 leaves with BM lesions, avg. 1-4 lesions/leaf. Treatment with Ridomil (02/07/01). The farmer was advised to reap bottom leaves to improve ventilation. Information received from T. BIERUT, Universal Leaf Tobacco (Poland). August 2, 2001. Ref. 228
France	July 31, 2001	August 1, 2001	Site: Virazeil. Outbreak of blue mould on ITB 30 variety - flowering stage. 1 ha of 4,5 ha valley crop affected. Medium to high sporulation observed on all stalk positions. Plants in affected plot to be destroyed. Prior to outbreak, crop treated twice with Acylon. Affected plot had not been treated for 3-4 weeks. Disease appeared following a thunderstorm. After destruction of affected plot, remaining crop will be treated with Maneb, followed by Acylon. Information received from Jean-Louis AMAN for T.G.A. Cooperative, Union des Cooperatives Agricoles des Producteurs de Tabac (France). August 3, 2001. Ref. 232
France	July 31, 2001	August 2, 2001	Site: Sceaux d'Anjou. Outbreak of blue mould on ITB 33024 variety - topping stage. 5 ha of 9,10 ha plateau crop affected. Some sporulation observed on all stalk positions. Plants covering 2 ha in affected plot destroyed. Further plants later destroyed due to stagnant water problem. Proir to outbreak, two Acylon treatments (21 day interval between treatments). Plot badly damaged due to abundant rain and remedial action impossible in the field. Information received from Jean-Louis AMAN for Loire Tabac Cooperative, Union des Cooperatives Agricoles des Producteurs de Tabac (France). August 3, 2001. Ref. 232
Hungary	July 31, 2001	August 7, 2001	Site: Village Poespetri. Outbreak of blue mould on top leaves of variety TN-86. 5-10% of 0,3 ha plot affected. Plot treated with Ridomil Gold 68-WP. Plot located in a low lying, enclosed area surrounded by a wood - ideal conditions for blue mould infection. Information received fromTibor FEKETE, Chief Agronomist, Universal Leaf Tobacco Hungary Ltd. August 7, 2001. Ref. 234
France	August 1, 2001	August 7, 2001	Site: Aveyron (Lugan). Outbreak of blue mould on ITB 31612 variety - flowering stage. 0,65 ha of 0,85 ha hillside crop affected. Little to no sporulation observed on all stalk positions. Plants in affected plot not destroyed. Crop treated three times prior to outbreak, but interval between second and third treatments considered to have been too long. Fourth treatment to be done within 10 days following outbreak. Plot very steep, near a lake and grown under very humid conditions. Rains in July made field operations very difficult. Information received from Jean-Louis AMAN for Lot and Aveyron Cooperative, Union des Cooperatives Agricoles des Producteurs de Tabac (France). August 7, 2001. Ref. 234
Germany	August 1, 2001	August 7, 2001	Site: Schleswig Holstein (near Hamburg). Severe outbreak of blue mould on Golta variety. Infected plants destroyed. Tobacco fields in the region treated with Ridomil TK. Information received from N. BILLENKAMP, Landesanstalt fur Pflanzenbau Forchheim (Germany). August 7, 2001. Ref. 234

These reports are courtesy of CORESTA (Cooperation Centre for Scientific Research Relative to Tobacco).

Page last updated October 15, 2001.