Diseases a danger to Greene County tobacco, tomato farmers
GREENEVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Blue mold, a proven destroyer of commercial tobacco, has been found in Greene County for the second time this year.
The Greeneville Sun (http://bit.ly/1Rm9ylY ) reports that the mildew disease was discovered on Monday at the University of Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center of Greeneville.
Melody Rose, an agent with the university’s extension office, says the fungus-like organism has been destroyed.
Rose says farmers should begin inspecting and treating tobacco fields for the disease, which is spread by spores that can become airborne.
Rose says tomatoes this summer have been afflicted with septoria leaf spots, a disease that often proves destructive to crop.
Officials have said June and July’s rainy weather has made it difficult for farmers to inspect their fields for diseases.
