The majority of the crop was planted in late May and early June and crops are off to a good start, with cultivation now starting to occur. Problems observed in greenhouses this spring include chill injury, chemical injury, pH in float water, spiral roots, dry cells, and algae. In the field, there have not been many problems reported yet. However, there have been reported cases of plants showing damage due to environmental stresses, particularly low night temperatures soon after transplanting. As a result, we have started to see in certain fields plants that are forming suckers.
There have been a few growers asking about tray sanitation now that transplanting is finished. It is important to mention that unless Styrofoam trays are properly sterilized following use each year, it is not uncommon for fungi to build up in the trays and infect the plants. The CTRF has encountered Black Root Rot in Styrofoam trays over the past years when steam has not been used to disinfect them. As of today, sterilization of Styrofoam trays with steam is the only practice that will effectively control Black Root Rot. For more information on Black Root Rot and its control, please refer to the technical bulletin entitled “Tobacco Pests and Disorders in the Field – Black Root Rot” posted in the Plant Protection area of this website. Please see the technical bulletin “Tobacco Pests and Disorders in the Greenhouse-Damping Off” for more information.
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