FORECAST DISCUSSION: Monday, May 5, 1997 - *** Florida Blue Mold Update *** The following paragraphs give some details on the blue mold situation in Florida. These come courtesy of Tom Kucharek, Professor and Extension Plant Pathologist at UFL. (A few sentences have been deleted for the sake of brevity.)
28 April: Blue mold is in Alachua, Columbia, and Union Counties. It appears that the blue mold site at the Green Acres Farm of the University of Florida is the oldest site. It was a focal point of about 5' wide that was likely present two weeks ago, but it went undetected until April 23, 1997. In Columbia county, as of April 23, three farms had blue mold. a diminishing amount of blue mold was present on these three farms in relation to further distance from Green Acres. The furthest field had one observed lesion. Samples from Alachua and Columbia Counties are being tested for sensitivity to metalaxyl. I will relate further information as it becomes available. With our heavy rains the past five days, blue mold will increase in this area and spread out beyond this area.
Update on 5 May: At this time, we know of blue mold in Alachua, Columbia, Union and Levy Counties in north Florida. None has occurred in central or south Florida as far as I know. The only counties with multiple farms having blue mold are Alachua, Columbia, and Union Counties. I add Levy County now because transplants from a farm with blue mold were planted in Levy County. Dr. Tom Young has confirmed sensitive strains of blue mold from Alachua and Union Counties. This is the first time since 1990 that strains of Peronospora tabacina that are sensitive to metalaxyl have been identified in Florida. This proves the obvious, pathogen variability still exists. (End of Tom Kucharek's update)
*** Current situation *** This past weekend's weather went as predicted. The unsettled, disease-favorable weather ended by Sunday, with only a few showers or storms left over in S Florida. The good news continues today, with almost all growing areas having conditions unfavorable for short-range or long-range disease development. Conditions are somewhat favorable for localized disease development around Papantla, Mexico today and Tuesday, but all other sources are low or minimal threats. Midweek weather in the southern Plains and the southeast U.S. also looks unfavorable for blue mold at this time. TK
*** An additional note *** Growers should contact their county extension agent or blue mold cooridinator concerning proper control measures.
SERIOUS SOURCE THREATS: None
HIGH RISK GROWING AREAS: None
***** 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.
Web page last updated by Thomas Keever on 7 May 1997.