Blue Mold on tobacco continues to move in a northerly direction in the United States. Areas most recently reporting the disease include southern Virginia, Lancaster County in Pennsylvania and eastern Tennessee. Earlier in the season there were reports from North Carolina, Georgia and Florida.
To date, there have been no reports of Blue Mold in Ontario. Growers should routinely scout fields for signs of Blue Mold (see photos below for some of the symptoms). More detailed information about identification of Blue Mold and its control can be found in the technical bulletin entitled “Tobacco Pests and Disorders in the Field – Blue Mold” posted in the Plant Protection area of this website and in OMAFRA publications 842 and 843. If you find Blue Mold, please report it immediately.
Yellow lesions on the upper surface of leaves at the bottom of the plant are an early symptom of Blue Mold.
Bluish-grey spores on the underside of the leaf are another symptom of Blue Mold.
Post prepared and sent by Canadian Tobacco Research Foundation
Mailing Address: CTRF, P.O. Box 322, Tillsonburg, ON N4G 4H5
Telephone: 519-842-8997
Web Address: http://ctrf1.com