SPECIALTY CROP REPORT – Tobacco Edition, July 09 2009 

Blue Mold Update
New OMAFRA New Crop Development Specialist
Simcoe New Crops Workshop

Blue Mold Update
There have been no new reports of blue mold in US tobacco since the report from Tennessee on July 2^nd.  Forecasts from the Blue Mold Forecast Center at North Carolina State University suggest that current conditions are not favourable for survival and transport of spores towards Ontario tobacco growing regions.  As of July 10^th, there are no reports of blue mold in Ontario tobacco.  

Growers should still be monitoring their fields closely for signs of blue mold, as the cool, wet weather experienced over much of the Ontario tobacco growing region over the past weeks is ideal for the rapid development and spread of this disease.   Symptoms to look for are, initially, large yellow spots appearing singly (Figure 1) or in groups (Figure 2) on the upper surface of tobacco leaves, with a characteristic greyish-blue mold on the leaf underside (Figure 3).  These spots become brown as they age, and the dead tissue drops out in the field or during curing.  Curling or puckering of leaves may also occur (Figure 4).

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).  

Figure 1 – Circular yellow lesion on upper surface of tobacco leaf infected with blue mold.

Figure 2 –Lesions on infected tobacco leaves.  Infected leaves initially show large yellow spots that become brown as they age.  The dead tissue eventually drops out in the field or during curing.

Figure 3 – Greyish-blue mold appearing on leaf undersurface of tobacco infected with blue mold.  

Figure 4 – Curling of tobacco leaves infected with blue mold.

New OMAFRA New Crop Development Specialist
Evan Elford has recently been hired as OMAFRA’s New Crop Development Specialist.  Evan will be based at the Simcoe Office and is available to answer your questions on new and alternative crops in Ontario.  Evan can be reached by phone at 519-426-4509 or by email at evan.elford@ontario.ca.

Simcoe New Crops Workshop

New Crops, Old Challenges:
Non-traditional crops integrated crop management workshop.

Come out to the Simcoe Research Station to learn about:

• Non-traditional and specialty crops: demonstration plots of example crops      
• Pest management and sprayer technology: discuss with Provincial Specialists      
• Cover crops: opportunities to save your nitrogen dollars Current nitrogen research conducted by the University of Guelph      
• Current nitrogen research conducted by the University of Guelph   
• Enjoy refreshments, meet with other producers and take the opportunity talk with University of Guelph staff and OMAFRA Specialists

Tuesday, August 18, 2009                         
(Rain Date: Thursday, August 20, 2009)
1:30 - 5:00 p.m.
Simcoe Research Station

For more information visit:  http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/conferences/20090818.htm

Please RSVP by August 14^th by phoning (519) 426-7127 ext. 323

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