FORECAST SUMMARY: Monday, May 20:
*** Disease Update - 20 May *** Blue mold has been reported from Nash County, NC. This site, in the western edge of the coastal plain, is quite close to the first reported source near Bunn. It appears that this outbreak did not result from setting infected plants, but occurred once plants were in the field. Much of this infection involves larger plants (6-8 leaves present). Nearby tobacco which is younger and growing slower is showing a much lesser degree of infection. Sporulation this morning was light to moderate.
*** Unfavorable weather is expected in the Southeast this week *** A high pressure area, now centered near the Great Lakes, will govern the weather for the next 4 to 5 days. The influx of some very cool Canadian air will keep temperatures well below seasonal norms early this week. Some cloudiness, and perhaps some very light rain, will occur on Tuesday over parts of the Carolinas. Otherwise, skies will be sunny to partly cloudy and no rain is expected. There is Low Risk for commercial tobacco crops in the U.S. Monday and Tuesday.
TK
Serious Threats: None
HIGH RISK areas: None
Current Sources:
Previous Sources:
Pinar del Rio, Cuba
Santiago, Dominican Republic
Papantla, Veracruz, Mexico
Tepic, Nayarit, Mexico
Local Weather in North Carolina is available from the WRAL-TV5 Weather Center, which also has links to other weather sites.
***** 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.