Fla. Tobacco blue mold spreads into southern states on wind currents. But on several occasions in the past few years, blue mold has entered the state on transplants. Early infection of blue mold is a serious threat to Tennessee producers. An early infection can severely stunt and even kill young plants. Also, plants infected early in the season often become stunted and may lodge.
Blue mold is weather-sensitive.
The cool, wet weather of spring favors development of this disease. With the right conditions the disease may develop rapidly, generating millions of spores that spread throughout the greenhouse, ground bed or to other tobacco fields. There are several ways you can help reduce the threat from blue mold. Currently only four fungicides are labeled for tobacco blue mold control, and only one of these can be used in the float system. Dithane DF can be used in the float system or field.