FORECAST DISCUSSION: Friday, March 12: *** We have new reports of blue mold from three locations in Georgia !!! *** Blue mold has been discovered in Grady County (Reno, greenhouse) and Echols County (Statenville, plant bed), Georgia. Both of these are small sources. A major, serious source has also been found in Colquitt County near Moultrie, GA, in outdoor plant beds. New sources are being added to our list to account for these discoveries.
**** The Georgia source areas are SERIOUS Threats on Sunday. **** A combination of localized and long-range transport will affect the southern Georgia and northern Florida growing areas this weekend. There is a Low Risk of disease development in southern GA on Friday. There is a Moderate Risk of disease development in southern GA and northern FL on Saturday; HIGH RISK on Sunday.
Elsewhere......there is Moderate Risk of disease development in Cuba on Sunday. Growers near both of the Mexican source regions are at Low Risk through Sunday. In southern Texas, some localized disease development is possible today and Saturday.
The weather situation in the southeast U.S. is dynamic and highly complex. New forecasts for Cuba and southern Georgia will be issued on Sunday. They should be available by early afternoon. TK
Seriously Threatening Sources: Southern Georgia Sunday
HIGH RISK areas: Southern GA/ northern FL on Sunday
Current Sources:
Previous Sources:
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 12 March 1999.