The information and recommendations in this newsletter are applicable to North Carolina and may not apply in other areas.
The information and recommendations in this newsletter are applicable to North Carolina and may not apply in other areas.
From: Tom Melton, Extension Plant Pathologist
Minton Small has reported blue mold in Jones County. The field is located between Richlands and Trenton, near Comfort. We confirmed the sample this morning. Minton indicates that the field is about 10 acres in size and 25% of the field is affected. Plants are about knee high and upper leaves are sporulating heavily. One pint of Ridomil Gold had been applied on March 15. The Ridomil Gold was probably not present by the time the blue mold spores arrived.
There are probably other fields in the area with blue mold. All fields within 25 miles of this area should be thoroughly scouted for blue mold or sprayed with Acrobat MZ. All fields within 5 miles should be sprayed as soon as possible. Knee-high tobacco should be treated with 1 pound in 40 gallons of water per acre with at least 40 to 60 pounds of pressure to thoroughly cover plants. Spray should continue as long as a threat continues. Rates and spray volumes increase with plant growth; see the product label for details.
Remember Acrobat MZ is an excellent preventive pesticide. It is not a good curative pesticide. Fields with as much disease as the one in Jones County CANNOT expect to see good results with Acrobat over the next week or two. For Acrobat MZ to work well IT MUST BE USED AS A PREVENTIVE PESTICIDE and all leaves must be thoroughly sprayed.
Please remember to continue checking the Plant Disease Forecasting Center at the following site on the World Wide Web:
While using the popular media to inform growers is a great idea, please make an effort to avoid making the situation sound like a crisis. Blue mold can cause big losses and seriously impact individual growers and the industry. However, the largest loss ever experienced in North Carolina flue-cured tobacco is just over 4%. Burley tobacco losses have exceeded 33%. You are welcome to refer the media to my office.
Employment and program opportunities are offered to all people regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. North Carolina State University, North Carolina A&T State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments cooperating.
Last modified on May 25, 1999 by Stephen J. Toth, Jr.