Disease Update - August 9, 2004: Blue Mold has been reported in southern Wisconsin, Massachusetts, and southern Ontario, Canada. During the past week, we received reports of blue mold from 3 new locations across the northern tier of the North American growing regions. One infection is in a 2-acre field in Dane County, WI where 60-70% of the plants have fresh lesions with active sporulation. The southern Canada outbreak occurred in Norfolk County near the town of Langton. Less than 1 acre of a 20-acre field is affected. Fresh lesions are present with active sporulation. Blue mold was discovered in the Connecticut River valley in western MA near the town of Hadley. Disease was confirmed on one plant at the edge of a field, in a favorable area near the river. Evidence suggests that the initial infection occurred in late July. Sprays of Acrobat, Dithane, and Quadris had been applied on at least a weekly basis, which has likely been very helpful in containing this outbreak. We also have an update in from the NC mountains. Frank Bolick states that while the weather has been favorable for disease development for most of the growing season, the use of resistant varieties and proper control methods for non-resistant varieties has prevented rapid spreading of blue mold in and around the Avery County area. Thus, the threat of major damage from this year's epidemic appears to be fairly low.
The Weather... A cold front and two tropical systems will bring rainy weather to the eastern seaboard over the next 4 to 5 days. A cold front now just west of the Appalachians continues to push east this afternoon. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected from the mountains eastward this afternoon and evening. By Thursday, the cold front will turn stationary just east of the mountains. Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms will occur all along the East Coast states. The remains of Tropical Storm Bonnie will move into the FL panhandle on Thursday and move northeast along the stationary front Thursday night. Heavy rain is expected in many areas. Other than some showers in TN and southern KY today, the Ohio Valley will be mostly dry. A disturbance moving through the Great Lakes will bring some clouds and light rain or showers to that region Wednesday and Thursday. Close on the heels of Bonnie... Hurricane Charley will move northward along the East Coast Friday and Saturday. Expect more rainy weather for the East Coast states this weekend.
The Forecast... On Wednesday.... there is Strongly Moderate Risk for the growing areas of southern Ontario. Moderate Risk for southern WI, western MA, and the southern Appalachian Mountains. Weakly Moderate Risk for north-central NC and southside VA. Moderate Risk for north-central TN and southern KY. Low Risk all other areas. On Thursday.... risk diminishes in the Ohio Valley while conditions deteriorate from the mountains eastward. HIGH RISK Thursday for southern WI and the southern Appalachian Mountains. Strongly Moderate Risk for southern Ontario and western MA. Moderate Risk for north-central NC and southside VA. Low Risk for other growing areas on Thursday.
TK
Areas at Strongly Moderate or HIGH Risk during the past week: Southern Ontario
Current Sources:
Previous Sources:
Papantla, Veracruz, Mexico
Tepic, Nayarit, Mexico
Pinar del Rio, Cuba
Southern Texas
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.