FORECAST DISCUSSION: Friday, September 3: *** Announcements *** Beginning Monday, September 6, Blue Mold Forecasts will be produced on Tuesdays and Thursdays. We have a rapidly evolving situation with Downy Mildew on cucurbits, and the Blue Mold disease season is in its latter stages. The forecast staff feels that we can best serve both communities by moving the Downy Mildew forecasts to three times per week while producing Blue Mold forecasts twice per week. As always, additional forecasts will be generated if the situation demands it.
*** Growers are at Low Risk this weekend *** Conditions in the Ohio Valley, southern Appalachian Mountains, and southern New England will be mostly unfavorable for disease development. The weather may turn somewhat favorable in the Ohio Valley on Monday, but no transport to previously unaffected areas is expected. The other major factor is Tropical Storm Dennis, who continues to be a frustration to forecasters. The most recent predictions have Dennis drifting offshore for a day, then moving either north or northwest through NC and VA. As it appears now, the mountains should remain dry and the remnants of Dennis won't affect the New England region until Tuesday. Updates will be posted if things change dramatically. 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: None
HIGH RISK areas: None
*** 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
Tifton, Georgia Comfort, NC Lancaster, PA Mechanicsville, MD
***** 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.
