Tobacco has been transplanted in Columbia County and has started growing in good conditions. Although we are not seeing any issues locally, Dr. J. Michael Moore, UGA Extension Agronomist, wanted to get the word out about possible blue mold moving from greenhouses to fields on transplants.
Blue mold was identified in 6 greenhouses in Georgia over Easter weekend. Growers are to be commended for their aggressive efforts to prevent spread of blue mold in the greenhouses and to the fields. These greenhouses are now empty. We are not aware of the presence of active blue mold in any fields in the state. Below are the chemical control recommendations for blue mold in field grown tobacco.
Chemicals available for prevention of Blue Mold in field grown tobacco.
| Disease | Cultural Management | Chemicals
(read and follow the label) |
Comments |
| Blue mold
(Peronospora tabacina) |
Destroy unused seedlings as soon as
possible. Avoid planting in shaded areas. Avoid close plant spacings. |
Dithane DF Rainshield,
Manzate ProStick, or Penncozeb 75 DF at 1.5–2 lb/100 gal |
Spray foliage weekly for complete coverage. Stop spraying all
products 21 days before harvest. |
| Forum
+ Dithane DF Rainshield, Manzate ProStick, or Penncozeb 75 DF |
7.0 fl oz/100 gal water
+ 2.0 lb/100 gal water |
||
| Aliette WDP at 2.5–4 lb/acre | Apply preventively or at first sign of blue mold. Apply until 3
days before harvest |
||
| Presidio at 4 fl oz/acre | See label for spray volumes. | ||
| Quadris at 6–12 fluid oz/acre | See label for spray volumes. | ||
| Revus at 8 fluid oz/acre | Do not apply within 7 days before harvest | ||
| Orondis Gold + Ridomil Gold
4.8 oz + 8 oz |
Apply in transplant water or at first cultivation or at layby | ||
| Actigard 50WG | 0.5 oz / A: Up to 3 applications beginning when plants are 12 inches tall. |