J. Michael Moore, University of Georgia Extension Agronomist-Tobacco
Blue Mold
Prevention Recommendations
Dallas Smith
to Speak on National Tobacco Settlement
As of last Friday afternoon, Dr. Paul Bertrand wrote: Blue mold is now active and well scattered in Grady, Colquitt, Mitchell, Decatur, Worth, Brooks, Echols and Berrien counties. Blue mold is probably scattered over most of southwest Georgia and merely not yet detected. ALL growers southwest of Douglas should check fields AND spray with Acrobat MZ. The rate of Acrobat MZ and per acre water volume depend on tobacco plant size, not what is convenient. All other growers should check fields and be prepared to spray if any blue mold is found. Continue reporting all cases of blue mold. The blue mold in Grady County has been tested and is not sensitive to Ridomil. In Mitchell County, blue mold is equally active in fields treated or not treated with Ridomil.
More recently, blue mold has been identified in limited amounts in two fields in Coffee County.
Numerous fields in Grady and Colquitt counties have been verified to be infected with blue mold, with many of the plants containing systemic blue mold.
The fungicide Acrobat MZ, which is still being developed, has received a Section 18 Emergency Exemption for use as a preventive for blue mold on tobacco during the 1998 season.
The labeled rate solution of this material in the spray tank is 2.5 pounds of Acrobat MZ in 100 gallons of water. This spray solution should be applied to wet all foliage of the plants. Applications of greater amounts of spray solution as the tobacco plants grow are recommended.
The Acrobat MZ label calls for the use of 0.5 pound of material in 20 gallons of water from transplanting until three weeks after transplanting; 1.0 pound of material in 40 gallons of water from 3-4 weeks after transplanting; 1.5 pounds of material in 60 gallons of water from 4-5 weeks after transplanting; 2.0 pounds of material in 80 gallons of water 6-7 weeks after transplanting; 2.5 pounds of material in 100 gallons of water 7 weeks after transplanting.
Complete coverage is a must to ensure control. Sprays should be repeated every 5 to 7 days and after wash-off until the threat of blue mold has been lifted. Increasing numbers of spray nozzles (such as hollow cones), which operate at relatively high pressure (40-60 psi) per row, provide smaller droplets that can give maximum coverage of the tobacco as it grows.
Growers should contact their county extension agent for additional information on the North American Blue Mold Forecast System as well as blue mold prevention.
| This is an example of an ideal setup for applying Acrobat MZ to tobacco for blue mold control. Drop nozzles allow for complete coverage of the upper leaf surfaces from the bottom of the stalk to the top. Additional nozzles may be added to improve coverage as the tobacco grows. |
Dallas R. Smith, Deputy Under Secretary - Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC, will address tobacco growers regarding tobacco settlement legislation Tuesday, May 12, 1998, at 10 a.m. in the Auditorium of the Rural Development Center located at 15 RDC Road in Tifton, Georgia. Mr. Smith will bring the Department of Agriculture's perspective on issues surrounding tobacco settlement legislation. All growers and those interested in the outcome of the numerous proposals relating to tobacco are encouraged to attend. Ample time for questions will be allowed.
Thank you for calling the Georgia Tobacco Hotline, presented by the University of Georgia Extension Tobacco Team and brought to you by the makers of Orthene 75S.
