FORECAST DISCUSSION: Friday, March 19: *** We have a new report of blue mold from Florida *** Tom Kucharek informs us that blue mold has been discovered in a plant bed in Columbia County in northern Florida. Disease activity is very light at this time. Trajectories from the existing source at Statenville, GA will be used to represent this new discovery and any disease activity here will be included in the Statenville forecasts. We now have reports of blue mold from Grady County, Colquitt County, and Echols County in Georgia, plus the new report from Columbia County, Florida. The Colquitt County source is by far the strongest and most dangerous.
*** The possibility of localized disease development is the main concern this weekend. *** In the Southeast...... cold nighttime temperatures and partly cloudy skies will keep the risk to area growers Low Friday and Saturday. Conditions will become more favorable for disease development as a weather system moves through the region on Sunday. There is Moderate Risk of localized disease development for southern Georgia, Weakly Moderate Risk for northern Florida. No long-range threat is anticipated at this time, but the situation bears watching. Forecasts will be updated on Sunday if the need arises.
Elsewhere.....localized disease development is possible in southern Texas and the east coast of Mexico. The sources in Cuba and western Mexico are Low Threats through the weekend. TK
Seriously Threatening Sources: None
HIGH RISK areas: None
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 19 March 1999.