SPECIALTY CROP REPORT – Tobacco Edition, July 3 2009 

Blue Mold Update
Two more US states have reported cases of tobacco blue mold. Blue mold was confirmed from a field of burley tobacco in Forsyth County, in northern North Carolina on June 28.  It was estimated that original symptoms in this field appeared around June 11.  The source of the North Carolina outbreak remains undetermined, however initial analysis by the Blue Mold Forecast Center suggest that this was not spread from the Pennsylvania outbreak reported in mid June.  Blue mold was also reported from Greene County, Tennessee on July 2 with initial symptoms estimated to have appeared approximately one week before.  

As of July 2nd, there are no reports of blue mold in Ontario tobacco, however growers are reminded to monitor their fields closely for signs of disease.  Blue mold can develop and spread rapidly during periods of cool, wet and overcast weather.  Any suspected cases should be reported to the OMAFRA office in Simcoe at 519-426-4434 or 519-426-3823.  More information on this disease can be found in OMAFRA Publication 298 – Flue-Cured Tobacco Production Recommendations or in the CTRF publication “Flue-Cured Tobacco Best Management Practices – Blue Mold” (September, 2004).  Aliette WDG and Quadris FL Fungicides can be used proactively for the preventative control of Blue Mold in the field.  Be mindful of the preharvest intervals for these products – 21 days for Quadris and 5 days for Aliette.  Refer to the product label for detailed instructions on how to apply these products.  

The following OMAFRA staff at the Simcoe office can be contacted if further information is needed:

Melanie Filotas
Specialty Crops Integrated Pest Management Specialist
melanie.filotas@ontario.ca
519-426-4434

Jim Todd
Transition Crop Specialist
jim.todd@ontario.ca
519-426-3823