FORECAST DISCUSSION: *** Active Blue Mold reported in Kentucky *** Wednesday, May 22 - Dr. William Nesmith, Extension Plant Pathologist in Kentucky, has confirmed active blue mold in Hart County, KY, centered in Munfordville. Strong sporulation is taking place in one center of older, systemic infections that have been present for at least several weeks, and infected plants from the transplant production operation concerned have been widely dispersed in the county. Weather conditions today and tomorrow are mostly unfavorable for disease development from this source, but it will be watched closely.
As expected, clouds and scattered showers persist today in Florida, so deposition of some spores in central Florida is probably occurring. The threat from the Cuban sources is lower today as skies were much clearer in that area during late morning and the afternoon. Reports from Florida state that blue mold has been spotted in Alachua County and in more farms in Columbia County. Safe transport and deposition may occur today in areas near to and just south of these sources. Winds are from the north much of the day and conditions are favorable.
Trajectories from the weak S Texas sources are mostly to the north today and Thursday. They pose little threat at this time. With the expansion of the N Florida infection, the discovery of the serious disease presence in Kentucky, and the persistently hot, dry weather in S Texas, Blue Mold Forecast Management has decided to drop the Uvalde site from the day-to-day reporting. Like the others removed previously, your Forecaster will continue to monitor the situation behind the scenes and report later if necessary. TK
HIGH-RISK SOURCES: None
Web page last updated by Thomas Keever on 22 May 1996.