FORECAST DISCUSSION: Wednesday, June 16: *** Two new reports of blue mold *** One is from the Jessamine/Fayette County line in central Kentucky. A small outbreak of blue mold was discovered in an ideal location that is part of a larger field. Several generations of lesions were found in the outbreak but other areas of the field showed no signs of disease. Given its size and relative closeness to the Shelbyville site, the Shelbyville source will represent this outbreak. Another, more serious outbreak has been discovered in Madison County in the central North Carolina mountains. This is the first report of blue mold in the southern Appalachian Mountains. Blue mold is widely scattered on several farms in the Grapevine community. Freshly sporulating lesions (in addition to some old ones) were found. This source is being added to the forecasts immediately.
*** Highly favorable weather remains in place for Wednesday and Thursday *** On Wednesday, there is HIGH RISK for growers in the central and northern mountains of NC and TN. There is Strongly Moderate Risk for growers in central and eastern NC, northeast SC, and the southern GA/northern FL growing region. There is Moderate Risk for southeast KY and eastern TN. On Thursday, there is HIGH RISK for northwest SC and the central and southern mountains of NC. There is Strongly Moderate Risk for northeast SC, south-central NC, and the entire coastal plain of NC. There is Moderate Risk for growers in southeast KY, extreme southwest VA, and northeast TN. TK
Blue Mold Active in the Plant Bed and Greenhouse (click on small image for larger image)
What should one look for?
Seriously Threatening Sources: Grapevine, NC
HIGH RISK areas: Wednesday: Central mountains of NC and TN; Thursday: northwest SC, central and southern mountains of NC
*** NEW FEATURE ***
County Map of New and Existing Outbreaks, 1999
(Red = New, 1 to 7 days; Blue = Active, > 7 days; Green = Old)
Current Sources:
Previous Sources:
San Antonio de los Banos, Cuba
Papantla, Veracruz, Mexico
Tepic, Nayarit, Mexico
Corpus Christi, Texas
***** 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 16 June 1999.
